LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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Shelf .7P^^ ^ 



UNITEB STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUHIST. 



BY 

ANDEEW S. FULLER, 

PRACTICAL HORTICULTURIST, RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN CO., N. J. 



NEW, REWRITTEN, AND ENLARGED EDITION. 



BEAUTirULLY ILLUSTRATED. 



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NEW YORK: 

ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 

751 BROADWAY. 

1881. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, ty the 
OKAi^GE JUDD COMPANY, 

In the Office of tlie Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 






PREFACE TO REVISED EDITION. 



It is now fourteen years since I wrote the first edition 
of this work, and sent it forth upon its mission. At 
that time no one, however sanguine as to the success of 
Small Fruit Culture in this country, could have imagined 
that so great progress would have been made within the 
time named. From a few small plantations, scattered 
about the country here and there, the cultivation of these 
fruits has extended until the numbers of specialists in 
this branch of horticulture amounts to thousands, and 
we may safely say that, the quantity of berries now sent 
to some of our larger cities in a single day, is greater 
than the entire amount sent in a whole season fifteen 
years ago. That this little work has had some influence 
in promoting this advance in small fruit culture, the 
author thinks he may claim without fear of being accused 
of conceit. The large number of copies sold by the pub- 
lishers has not only been very gratifying to the author, 
but it has shown that there was a want of just such 
information as it contained. The people of Germany 
have long been considered among the best informed and 
most practical fruit growers in the world ; but they ap- 
pear to have discovered something in this work worthy 
of their attention, for, in 1868, Mr. Heinrich Maurer, of 
3 



lY PEEFACE TO KEVISED EDITION". 

Jena, translated in into German, and a very handsome 
edition was brought out by Bernhard Friedrich Voight, of 
Weimar. This being the first horticultural book written 
by an American which has been translated and published 
in Germany, I cannot but feel that it is not only a com- 
pliment to the author, but to American horticulturists 
generally. 

My principal object in experimenting with Small Fruits, 
and giving the results to the public in a book, was to 
make these fruits more plentiful than formerly, and, if 
possible, to encourage their cultivation until they should 
be produced in such abundance that even the poor of our 
cities might be able to obtain what had been long con- 
sidered as luxuries for the rich only. Whether I have 
been instrumental in producing these results, it is not for 
me to say, but our markets are now well supplied with 
choice small fruits of all kinds, and usually in such 
abundance that high prices can no longer debar eyen the 
poor from indulgin;^ in an occasional dish of the best. 
That the same abundance may be continued is the wish of 

The Author. 
Ridgewood, N. J"., July, 1881. 



CONTENTS. 



-»o«- 



Page. 
Introduction __. 6 

Chapter I. 
Barberry 20 

Chapter II. 
Strawberry _ 31 

Chapter III. 
Raspberry _. 119 

Chapter IV. 
Blackberry 176 

Chapter V. 
Dwarf Cherry 191 

Chapter VI. 
C iirrant - 1 94 

Chapter VII. 
Gooseberry 223 

Chapter VIII. 
Cornelian Cherry. _ 233 

Chapter IX. 
Cranberry ...239 

Chapter X. 
Hucisleberry 254 

Chapter XI. 
Shepherdia, or Buffalo Berry 259 

Chapter XII. 
Preparation for Gathering Fruit. . .263 



(5) 



INTRODUCTION. 



The cultivation of the Small Fruits, as a distinct feature 
in horticulture, commenced less than twenty-five years 
ago. It is true we had raspberries, strawberries, currants, 
and other berries in our gardens, and nurserymen propa- 
gated the j^lants for sale to a very limited extent, but a 
catalogue made up exclusively of the Small Fruits was 
unknown, and I may add, the common announcement in 
catalogues of to-day, '* Small Fruits a Specialty," has 
come into use within the past twenty years. In Europe 
there were a few men who made a specialty of the Small 
Fruits, some choosing the Gooseberry, others the Straw- 
berry, and cultivating these on a limited scale, but to 
take the entire group of Small Fruit?, and make these 
the prominent feature, or specialty, was as rare in the old 
world as in the new. The further we go back into the 
history of horticulture, the less do we find in regard to 
the berries, and even two centuries ago scarcely any of 
the English and French authors give anything more than 
a passing notice of some wild berries, which were occa- 
sionally transplanted into the garden. The family supply 
of these fruits was drawn from the fields and woods, and 
while the apple, pear, plum, and other larger fruits were 
attracting attention, as they had done from the earliest 
times, the Small Fruits remained in their natural and 
undeveloped state. 

Early in the present century, some attempts were made 

in England to improve the Strawberry, and these being 

quite successful, a new interest was awakened in this 

fruit among the horticulturists of the old world, but no 

6 



I^STTRODUCTION". 7 

great progress was made in the cultivation of the different 
kinds of Small Fruits until several years later. 

The progress of fruit-culture in the United States is 
probably more apparent than in other countries, for we 
have only to go back to a period within the memory of 
horticulturists still living, to ascertain nearly every fact in 
regard to its history. Ask any of our older horticulturists 
concerning the markets of forty years ago, and they will 
tell us that there were no Hovey or Wilson Strawberries 
offered for sale in those days ; no Cherry or White Grape 
Currants ; no New Eochelle or Kittatinny Blackberries ; 
but that they were wholly supplied with berries from the 
woods and uncultivated fields. 

The progress we have made in Small Fruit Culture dur- 
ing the past tAventy years is certainly something of which 
our horticulturists may well feel j)roud, but the limits in 
the way of advancement have not as yet been reached, 
and there is room enough for those who may wish to enter 
this field to work out many an unsolved problem. 

The cause of our advancement is, in a great measure, 
due to the dissemination of information upon the subject 
through the horticultural and agricultural press. It is 
by reading these that the masses have learned where to 
obtain the plants they desire and how to cultivate them. 
Thus, by having a medium through which both, parties 
are benefited, trade is augmented and progress made more 
certain. 

The originators of new varieties have been stimulated 
to make great exertions, because of the high prices paid 
for their products in times past, but it is quite probable 
that new sorts will not hereafter command so much at- 
tention as they have in years gone by, at least it will not 
be so easy to obtain high prices for a second-rate article. 
What may be termed the ^'^ Small Fruit Craze" has had 
its day, and hereafter it will be only the really valuable 
sorts — the intrinsic worth of which has become fully 



8 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

ascertained and established, that will be in demand. 
There has been altogether too much puffing of new or 
supposed to be new sorts, before their merits or identity 
had become fully ascertained. In many instances yarieties 
have been announced as something wonderful, and en- 
dorsed by scores of ministers, doctors, lawyers, and other 
prominent gentlemen — neighbors of the originators, not 
one of whom perhaps ever had any experience in fruit- 
culture, or could tell a '^ Wilson" Strawberry from a 
**Hovey" or a *^Chas. Downing." Instances of this 
kind of worthless endorsement of new or old sorts, are 
becoming more and more frequent and annoying to the 
horticulturist and the public at large. The old '' Belle de 
Fontenay " Easpberry was recently brought out as some- 
thing new under the name of Amazon, and the man who 
claimed to have produced it, procured the endorsement 
of some half a score of ministers as to his own honesty, 
and the great and valuable merits of his bantling. The 
said ministers may be very good men, and know some- 
thing of their parishioner's character, and still, as proved 
in this case, know very little about Raspberries. In other 
instances the Mayor of a city, or some noted politician, 
is called upon to endorse the statement of the raiser of a 
new variety, while there are plenty of good horticulturists 
near at hand, whose word in such cases would carry some 
weight among fruit-growers generally. All persons 
interested in fruit growing should unite in condemning 
this species of quackery in horticulture. 

The facilities for disseminating plants of all kinds, have 
largely increased during the past few years, our railroads 
having penetrated almost every part of the country, from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, affording safe and rapid 
facilities for transmission of plants to the mo-^t distant 
localities. Added to this, the Post-office Department per- 
mits the sending of plants through the mails, but I regret 
to say at rates of postage far in excess of what they should 



INTRODUCTION-. 9 

be in a country where agriculture and horticulture are 
the foundation of national wealth. The rates of postage 
on seeds, plants, and cuttings, has been doubled since the 
first edition of this book was published, while the rates 
on some other classes of matter have been reduced to 
an almost nominal sum — a discrimination against agricul- 
ture and horticulture not warranted by the needs of the 
Department, and much against the wishes of the public 
at large. The increase of railroad facilities and other 
means of transportation has not been to the advantage of 
fruit-growers in all localities alike, but to some a great 
disadvantage, as it has brought distant parts of the 
country into close competition. The fruit-growers in the 
Southern States can now send their berries to northern 
markets, and while these do not come into direct com- 
petition with those grown in the North, still their pres- 
ence has a very depressing influence upon prices. Weeks 
and sometimes months before the northern berries are 
ripe, the markets are flooded with the southern grown 
fruit, and the residents of our cities have had enough of 
strawberries before the home-grown berries come in, and 
wanting a change the public seek some other kind to the 
neglect of the fresh berries from the fields in the suburbs, 
and prices go down accordingly. The southern fruits 
bring high prices, but the cost of freight, commission, 
etc. , leave the raiser but a small margin for profit ; con- 
sequently the only parties benefited are the trans23orta- 
tion companies, commission men, and the consumer. 

There have been no great discoveries or improvements 
made in methods of culture or propagation of the Small 
Fruits during the past dozen years, but there appears to 
be a growing desire to improve native varieties to the ex- 
clusion or neglect of the foreign, and this is especially 
noticeable among the cultivators of the Raspberry. The 
native sorts are attracting most attention, and are well 
deserving of it, because the foreign ones here have never 



10 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

been satisfactory in general cultivation. There is room 
for great improvements upon even the best of those now 
known as the leading native varieties, and if half the 
time and skill had been bestowed upon the native Red 
Raspberry, in endeavoring to produce new sorts, as has 
been upon the foreign, we would now have something 
better than even the highly extolled Cuthbert and Turner. 
The introduction and almost general use of fruit-pre- 
serving cans have afforded the people an opportunity of 
obtaining an uninterrupted supply of choice fruifcs, re- 
gardless of time or season. Thousands of bushels are 
annually preserved for home use by families, both in 
country and city. One may step into any of our restau- 
rants — even when the snow covers the fields and with the 
thermometer at zero — and call for a dish of strawberries 
and cream, and he will be supplied as readily as in the 
month of June. The fruit may not be quite so good as 
when first gathered from the plant, but, considering the 
time of year, it is very acceptable. Not only do private 
families, saloons, and hotels consume enormous quantities 
of the Small Fruits which have been preserved in these 
hermetically sealed cans and jars, but every steamer or 
sailing vessel that leaves our ports takes with it a supply 
for use on the voyage, and it often forms a share of the 
freight. We are not only called upon to produce fruits 
to supply the home demand, but other portions of the 
world which cannot or do not produce them, and it can 
readily be seen that it must be many years before any- 
thing like an adequate quantity can be produced, even 
with the rapid strides we are making. The field for pro- 
duction may appear to be a very large one, still it is far 
less than that of consumption. It is not every location 
or soil that is adapted to the cultivation of the Small 
Fruits, neither will every variety succeed equally well on 
the same place. Consequently the favorable regions for 
particular kinds must furnish the people of other loca- 



INTEODUCTIOK. 11 

tions ; thus an exchange is made beneficial to both, and 
to the advantage of trade. The Southern States produce 
fruit for home consumption, and for sale at the North, 
and vice versa. Different sections produce different 
fruits, but often both yield the same, and yet they be- 
come a market for each other. 

With a constantly increasing demand, and no apparent 
prospect of our markets being fully supplied, it is no 
wonder that many have turned their attention to the 
cultivation of the Small Fruits. 

All along the lines of our railroads, canals, and naviga- 
ble rivers, new villages are springing up, each of which 
soon becomes a shipping point for produce sent to the 
larger cities and villages. Places which did not exist 
eight or ten years ago, are now annually sending to 
market a half million to a million baskets of fruits. 

It is not to be expected that every one who attempts 
the cultivation of the Small Fruits will be successful, any 
more than that all will succeed in any other business, still 
it must be admitted, that the culture of the leading vari- 
eties of this class offers as wide and safe a field for enter- 
prise as is to be found in any other branch of business 
pertaining to the cultivation of the soil. 

Some will fail because they obtained varieties unsuited 
to their soil or location, for it must be remembered that 
there is no such thing as general cultivation, when ap- 
plied to the whole United States. Others will attempt 
more than they are capable of completing. And there 
are those who imagine that all that is required is, to ob- 
tain the plants and see that they are planted, after which 
they can sit down and wait for a bountiful harvest. Such 
people are always disappointed, and it matters not what 
they undertake they are sure to be unfortunate, and every 
experiment will end in failure until they learn to labor 
as well as to wait. Profitable fruit-culture cannot result 
from idleness or negligence. Prompt, energetic action, ap- 



12 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST, 

plied at the proper time, is far more essential with the 
small fruits than with the larger ones. An apple or pear 
tree will struggle long, and often successfully, agamst 
weeds, drouth, or an unsuitable soil, while a Raspberry or 
Strawberry plant would perish in a week under similar 
circumstances. There is probably nothing appertaining 
to the cultivation of the soil which will, if properly con- 
ducted, yield more pleasure or profit than the culture of 
our best varieties of small fruits. Still it must not be ex- 
pected that there are no difficulties in the way, for there 
will sometimes be early and late frosts; wet and dry sea- 
sons ; cold winters and hot summers, and insects that will 
destroy more rapidly than nature can restore ; therefore 
no one should attempt the culture of any kind of fruit, 
unless he has courage and ])erseverance sufficient to meet 
and overcome all the obstacles he may find in the road to 
success. To the inexperienced cultivator these difficulties 
may appear very formidable, yet they are no greater than 
in any other branch of business, and far less than in many. 
The small fruits, as a class, are less liable to be affected by 
disease or insects than a majority of the larger kinds, 
and as many of them, like the Raspberry and Blackberry, 
bloom late in the season and perfect their fruit early, they 
are seldom injured by the late spring frosts, which are 
often so very destructive to the Peach, Apple, and other 
early bloomers. 

To guard against great losses it is best not to risk one's 
entire capital in any one kind, for if that should fail, it 
would be ruinous. Neither is it advisable to cultivate toe 
great a variety, for capital, needlessly scattered, is not 
readily gathered. The aim of the cultivator should be : 
1st — To provide against total failure. 2d — Cultivate no 
more of aiiy one kind than he can properly attend to, both 
in cultivating and in gathering the fruit. 3d — Provide 
for a succession of crops, so that there shall be an uninter- 
rupted income, in preference to a lai'ge and fluctuating 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

one. Fruit-baskets, crates, etn., must be provided, and 
the capital invested in these should not be allowed to re 
main idle any longer than is absolutely necessary. If sev* 
eral kinds are cultivated, commencing with the Strawber- 
ry, and followed by Raspberries, Gooseberries, Currants, 
and Blackberries, the fruit-baskets may be constantly em- 
ployed for at least three months, when if but one kind 
is grown their use will scarcely extend over as many 
weeks. Besides this, a better class of help can be secured 
for gathering the fruit where steady employment for three 
months can be given, than when for only a few days or 
weeks. 

The chief object of those who cultivate fruit for mar- 
ket is that of profit, and to secure the largest return on 
capital invested requires a judicious selection of varieties. 
The best in quality are seldom the most profitable for 
general mnrket purposes. Usually the highest flavored 
are the most delicate growers and quite unproductive. 
Individual tastes differ — one will choose a variety that an- 
other will reject. Taste, however, is changeable, and a 
fruit, which at one time may be quite distasteful, will, by 
a constant acquaintance, become very agreeable. Our 
markets are but an aggregation of individuals, conse- 
quently they often change, and a particular variety of 
fruit, when first introduced, will find no purchasers, 
though it may afterwards become exceedingly popular. 

A particular color will often be the cause of rejection, 
and it will require a constant and persistent effort on the 
part of the producer to introduce the variety and per- 
suade the masses to purchase. A case in point is that of 
the Brinckle's Orange Raspberry, a variety which is ac- 
knowledged, by connoisseurs in fruit, to be one of the very 
best in quality ; still, place it beside almost any ordinary 
red variety in any of the New York markets, and not ten 
baskets of it will be sold to one hundred of the latter. 

In other cities the results may be quite the reverse, 



14 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

which would only show that the masses must become ac- 
quainted with a variety before they will freely purchase, 
especially if it differs widely in appearance from those 
which are well known. The public taste in this country 
has not as yet been sufficiently cultivated to discriminate 
or select the very best, and it is doubtful if the masses 
appreciate or care wliether a fruit is fully up to any par- 
ticular standard of quality that scientific horticulturists 
have endeavored to establish ; quantity is evidently more 
highly prized than quality, especially if the latter is at- 
tended by scarcity. 

I do not wish in these remarks to convey the idea that 
the very best should not always be sought for, but when 
their cultivation is not remunerative, quality alone be- 
comes of doubtful advantage to the producer. 

The more familiar a people become with any particular 
kind of fruit, the more they will appreciate it, and should 
anything occur to deprive them of a supply, they will feel 
the loss very keenly. Small fruit-culture has already be- 
come qtiite a prominent feature in American horticulture, 
and every possible means should be employed, not only to 
keep up the supply, but to increase it, so that it shall 
equal the demand. 

Heretofore its production has been mainly local ; that is, 
a particular neighborhood has made a specialty of grow- 
ing some one or more kinds that have been found to be 
adapted to the location and soil. 

Fruit-growers in other sections, having tried the same 
variety or varieties, as the case may be, and not finding 
their culture remunerative, have discarded them. Instead 
of doing this, they should have tried to produce new va- 
rieties that would succeed ; or, endeavored to procure 
from among the many already known, some kind that was 
adapted to their particular soil and location. It is well 
known to every experienced horticulturist that certain 
Bpccies, and all the varieties produced therefrom, fail in 



INTRODUCTION. 15 

Bome locations and soils, while other species and their va- 
rieties, although of the same genus, will succeed most ad- 
mirably. These peculiarities of species have given rise 
to much discussion among fruit-growers. One will assert, 
for instance, that the Raspberry is a total failure in his 
section, and that it cannot be grown, which may be true 
in regard to a particular kind or class, but no farther. 
There is probably no soil in our whole country, unless it 
be under water or totally barren, in which some one ov 
more kinds of small fruits may not be profitably grown. 
The great desideratum is, to determine which they are, 
and the people are looking to experimenters to furnish the 
required information. 

This is being given through various mediums that are 
accessible to all, and the rapidly extending culture of this 
class of fruits shows very clearly that the knowledge 
gained is put to practical use. The dissemination of sim- 
ple facts, which are frequently conveyed in a single word 
or line, is often of more value than a learned and elabo- 
rate essay. 

We sometimes observe in nurserymen's catalogues, re- 
ferring to a particular variety, a simple remark like this : 
"succeeds admirably with me in a light sandy, clayey, or 
loamy soil," as the case may be, thereby giving a key to 
the secret of his success and the failure of others. 

There was a time in the history of horticulture when 
secrets were a merchantable commodity, and the particular 
methods of propagation and culture were transferred from 
one o-ardener to another for a consideration. But those 
days are past, for the true horticulturist of the present 
day keeps no secrets that will benefit mankind, but hast- 
ens to give to the world the advantages which may arise 
from any discovery he makes, receiving in return that 
which is of more lasting value than money : the thanks 
of his co-laborers. It is true, that occasionally a man can 
be found so blind to his own interest and reputation, and 



16 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

BO selfislily mean, as to desire to keep to liimself any process 
by whicli he thinks he can snrpass his neighbors, and tax 
the pubUc for his own benefit; but such is the estimation 
in which these men are held by a large majority of horti- 
culturists, and so readily is their meanness discovered by 
their customers, that they are very soon obliged either to 
retire from business and seek some other less honorable 
occupation, or eke out a miserable existence supported 
by the patronage of a class no better than themselves. 

The laws of nature should be secrets to none, and he 
who would deny others the knowledge of any important 
discovery in horticultural processes, would, if he were 
able, have the blessed sunshine and showers shut out from 
every field but liis. It is to the constant interchange of 
fiicts, derived fi-om experience, that we owe much of our 
progress in horticulture. To know the different varieties, 
so that one can name them at sight, does not constitute, 
as some may suppose, all the knowledge requisite to en- 
able one to cultivate them successfully. 

Their adaptation to tlie various soils, locations, and 
climate; tlie best mode of cultivation, propagation, prun- 
ing; whether the fruit is firm or fragile, rendering it more 
suitable for market or home use — these and many other 
points must be understood before one can safely go into 
small fruit-culture on an extensive scale. There has been 
much discussion as to whether a constant cultivation of 
the soil was necessary to produce remunerative results 
from growing the apjjle, peach, pear, and kindred fruits. 
There is, i)erhaps, some i-eason in particular cases for 
an apparent neglect, such as excessive growth, which 
may be checked by non-cultivation more readily than oth- 
erwise. But Avith the fruits, of which we shall treat m 
the following pages, there are no exceptions to the rule — • 
the better the care, the more remunerative the results. By 
bestowing the best of care, we will not only obtain better 
returns, but they will be in an increased ratio to the amount 



INTRODUCTIOX. 17 

of labor bestowed. In many instances, with an annual 
expenditure of twenty-five dollars per acre, a return of 
only one hundred is obtained, while upon the same soil 
and with the same variety, if fifty dollars had been ex- 
pended, the return would have been three or four hundred. 
All experiments show that extra culture is far more pro^ 
itable than what is generally termed good culture. I do 
not mean by this that it is necessary to trench the soil 
four feet deep, and apply a thousand loads of manure per 
acre to a soil which is naturally deep and rich ; but that 
deep plowing and subsoiling should be employed, with a 
liberal supply of enriching materials, if the best results 
are to be obtained. But few of those who are called 
good cultivators are aware of the large increase of fruit 
which may be produced on an acre by giving extra cul- 
ture, instead of the ordinary method. Many fruit-grow- 
ers, for the purpose of extending their business, increase 
the number of acres, when, if they would double the 
depth of that which they already possess, they would ob- 
tain the same increase in product without going to the 
expense of purchasing more land, besides incurring the 
extra trouble of cultivating two acres, when one might, 
with proper care, produce the same results. Deepening 
the soil is not AvhoUy for the purpose of furnishing more 
plant food, nor to facilitate the downward growth of 
roots, but it is principally for the purpose of disintegra- 
tion, and making it of such a consistency that it will be 
capable of retaining a sufiicient amount of moisture at all 
times to nourish and supply the plants growing Therein, 
but not enough to be detrimental. Rain water, as is 
well known, contains gases that are beneficial to plants, and 
if the soil is in a condition to allow it to pass through it, a 
large portion of these gases will be retained, but if the 
surface is hard, the water either luns off or remains until 
it evaporates. 
Again, a soil that is loose and fnoble admits air, and 



18 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

with it moisture. To prove this fact, we have only to 
take a piece of glass or polished steel, or any similar sub- 
stance, and place it in au ice-house where it will become 
cold ; then carry it into the open air, and in a moment it 
will be covered with water condensed from the atmos- 
phere. Now, we know that this moisture did not exude 
from the glass, therefore it must have come from the air. 
By stirring the soil, and placing that which has become heat- 
ed underneath to warm the roots, and bringing the cooler 
portions to the top to condense the moisture, two objects 
are obtained : besides loosening the earth that it may be 
the more easily penetrated by the rootlets, it at the 
same time admits the air charged with moisture for their 
nourishment. The benefit derived from frequent stirring 
of the surface soil in dry weather, especially if it be of a 
compact nature, is mainly derived froni the admission of 
air containing moisture. Many cultivators appear to 
think that all that is required of them is, to keep the 
weeds from growing among their plants, and they never 
stir the soil except for this purpose ; but our best culti- 
vators have learned that frequent moving of the soil is 
very beneficial to all crops, especially in time of drouth. 
If any one doubts that soil can be made moist by frequent 
stirring, let them select a piece of ground imder some 
open shed where no rain has reached for a year or more, 
break up the soil and pulverize it finely ; then stir it and 
turn it over every morning for a week or two, and it will 
become quite moist, while a similar soil in the open field, 
which has not been stirred, will be parched and dry. 
Mulching the surface with straw, leaves, or similar ranteri- 
als, is often very beneficial, especially to plants whose 
roots do not penetrate dee])ly. The mulch not only as- 
sists in preventing evaporation, but insures condensation 
of moisture from the air, which passes freely through it to 
the soil. 

It is not my purpose to enter into any elaborate discus- 



INTKODUariON. 19 

Bions of particular theories relative to growtb, structure, 
food of plants, or any of the various points in vegetable 
physiology which are considered debatable questions. 
But as I shall have occasion in the followhig pages to ad- 
vise deep and thorouglily pulverized soil, I have stated 
the foregoing simple facts, so that the reader may under- 
stand why they are recommended. 



CHAPTER I. 



BARBERRY.— Berberis. 

NATURAL FAMILY BerberidacecB. 

[Name derived from the Arabic Berherys. The French name is Epine vinette ,• 
German, Berbcritze ; Dutch, Berberisse ; Italian, Berbero ; Spanish, Berberis.] 

General CnARACTERS. — Shrubs of medium size, with 
yellow inner bark and wood ; flowers in drooping ra- 
cemes ; leaves, and fruit, acid. A section of this genus, 
with evergreen leaves, is called Mahonia. 

SPECIES. 

Berberis vulg^aris. — Common Barberry. — Native of 
Britain, but has become naturalized in the New England 
States ; stems with sharp spines ; leaves obovate-oblong, 
bristly-toothed ; berries oblong, scarlet. 

Berberis Canadensis. — American Barberry. — Very 
similar to the last ; the racemes not quite so long. Ber- 
ries oval, red. Considered by some botanists as only a 
variety of B. vulgaris. AUeghanies and southward. 

The past summer, in a visit to New Mexico, I found 
this species in great abundance in the deep canyons, at 
an elevation of six thousand to eight thousand feet 
above the sea. It seemed to thrive best alono: the 
dry banks and sides of the canyons, among the yuccas 
and cactuses, where few other plants can survive the long 
drouths of those regions. Leaves smaller than in B. vul- 
garis, slightly serrate ; lighter green ; similar in habit, 
but less robust, perhaps owing to the rigorous climate. 

Berberis Fremonti. — Fremont's Barberry. — A hand- 
some large evergreen shrub, five to ten feet high, with 
rigid trifoliate leaves ; leaflets one to two and a half 
inclies long, tlie middle one usually the longest, some- 
what cordate at the base, and with more numerous teeth, 
the lowest pairs situated close at the base. Flowers in 
clusters of two or three ; berries ovate, dark blue, about 
the size of small currants. Discovered by Fremont, in 
20 



BARBERRY. 21 

1844, in Southern Utali, but it extends along the valleys 
southward, and would probably succeed in the Middle 
States, if not in the Northern. 

Berberis trifoliata. — Three-leaved Barberry. — Closely 
allied to the last ; common in Western Texas and New 
Mexico. Berries bright red, and less acid than those of 
the common barbery. Fruit used for tarts, etc. 

Bcrberis dulcis. — Magellan Sweet Barberry. — Also 
B. huxifolia and B. rotundifolia. Straits of Magellan ; 
it is an evergreen there and in England ; here it usually 
drops its leaves late in winter. The berries are round, 
black, moderately sweet. 

Berberis aristata. — Nepaul Barberry. — B. Asiatica 
and B. Chitra. A native of various portions of India. 
Evergreen, with purple fruit, covered with bloom. 

The other evergreen species of the Eocky Mountains 
and the Pacific Coast, i. e., B. repens, B. Aquifolmm, 
B. 2nn7iata and B. nervosa, are known as ^'Mountain" 
or ''Bush-Grapes." They were formerly placed in the 
genus Mahonia; and are principally cultivated for orna- 
ment ; the pioneers ij^ the regions named considered the 
berries as edible, and as a substitute for grapes. 

HISTORY. 
There is very little in the history of the Barberry that 
is of interest at the present day. Gerarde, an English 
author (1597), says that its young leaves were used as a 
salad in his time. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — Gather the fully ripe berries, and put into 
boxes until the pulp becomes soft, then wash out the 
seeds, and either sow or keep in sand until wanted. 

Sow in the fall ; if delayed until spring, the seeds be- 
come dry, and more or less of them will not grow. Where 
the weather is very hot and dry in summer, select a half- 
shady place for the seed-bed, else the young plants will 



22 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

be burned off. Sow in drills, and cover them about one 
inch deep ; keep the weeds down, and stir the soil often. 

Transplant in early spring when one or two years old, 
and at the time of removal shorten the tap-root about 
one-third. 

By Suckers. — The Barberry throws up numerous 
suckers, chiefly from the main stem, and roots are pro- 
duced on the base of these, which may be separated from 
the old plant to increase the number of plants. 

By Cuttin^gs. — Cuttings of the ripe wood do not grow 
as readily as with some other plants ; still, with care, they 
will succeed. Select one or two-year-old wood in the fall, 
before it has been severely frozen, and cut it into lengths 
of six or eight inches, cutting the lower end square across 
and just below a bud. Use a sharp knife, in order to cut 
smoothly. After the cuttings are made, bury them in a 
dry place in the open ground, and cover beyond the reach 
of frost. Do not tie in bundles, but place in alternate 
layers of soil and cuttings. In the spring take out and 
plant, placing them about three inches apart in the rows, 
covering all but one or two inches of the upper end. 
Pack the soil firmly around them, and either hoe often or 
cover the entire surface of the soil with mulch. As the 
same general system is followed for all ripe wood cuttings 
grown in the open ground, I will here give my method 
with the Barberry, the Currant, Gooseberry, and all simi- 
lar plants. When the cuttings are prepared, select a dry 
place, and dig a drench one spade deep, in shape like a 
letter V ; place a layer of cuttings on one side, then throw 
enough soil from the other side to cover them about an 
inch deep. Then place another layer of cuttings against 
this soil, keeping the trench in the same shape as it was 
when begun, cover the next layer in the same manner, 
and so on until the cuttings are all in ; then bank over 
with earth and smooth the surface so that the water will 
readily run off. 



BARBERRY. 



23 




Fijr. 1.— CUTTING TRENCH. 



In the spring, 2:)repare a bed for the cuttings by digging 
or plowing deeply, and enriching with well rotted manure. 
Harrow or rake the surface level and smooth ; then draw 
a line across the bed, and dig a trench by placing the back 
of the spade against the line, pressing it down perpendicu- 
larly ; then throw out. the soil to one side, making a trench 
of the shape shown in figure 1. Place the cuttings against 

the perpendicular side of the 
trench, two to four inches 
apart, and the upper end an 
inch or two above the surface 
of the soil. Draw in a little 
soil, and press it down firmly 
with the foot, or with an in- 
strument made from a piece of 
two inch plank, as shown in figure 2. After the earth has 
been packed firmly about the base of the cutting, the 
trench may be filled up level with the surrounding soil. 
With many kinds of plants the packing of the 
soil around the lower end of the cuttings is a 
veiy essential point, and often the whole secret 
of success. This is particularly so with those 
kinds that produce roots mainly from the lower 
end, where the wood is exposed to the soil. The 
distance between the rows will depend entirely 
upon the manner in which they are to be culti- 
vated. If a cultivator is to be used, then they 
should be two and a half or three feet apart; 
but where they are to be cultivated with the 
hoe one and a half to two feet will be suflSciento 
In some soils and locations the plants raised 
from cuttings may be left in the ground where 
they are grown until the following spring, and then trans- 
planted ; but the safest plan is to take them up in the fall, be- 
cause in some soils they wull be thrown out by the frost, un- 
less they have a larger quantity of roots than is usual. 




Fig. 2. 



24 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

By Greej^- Wood Cuttings. — ^This mode of propagating 
the Barberry can only be practiced to advantage by those 
who have propagating houses. The plants should be taken 
up in the fall and potted, giving each plant sufficient soil 
and room to insure a healthy growth. They may be placed 
directly in the house or in Irames or cellar until wanted. 
Wlien they are first potted the soil should be watered so 
that it will settle about the roots and fill all interstices 
between them. 

When the plants have been placed in the house, and 
have made a growth of two or three inches, the cuttings 
may be taken off by severing the new-growing wood close 
to the main stem ; place the cuttings in pots filled with pure 
sand, fifteen to twenty in a six inch pot, after which give 
water to settle the sand about the cuttings ; then cover 
with a bell glass, or place in frames within the house, as 
usual with other green wood cuttings. 

Every experienced propagator will understand and know 
how to treat the cuttings when they become rooted, and 
those who are novices in these matters would do well to 
practice a while upon plants less difficult to propagate, be- 
fore trying the Barberry. 

By Budding and Grafting. — The rare varieties are 
sometimes worked upon the more common kinds, usually by 
budding. The operation is performed just as soon as the 
buds are fully developed on the young growth of the sea- 
son, and in the same manner as upon the apple and similar 
trees. Grafting is also performed in the usual manner, but 
the cion should be inserted in the stock below the surface 
so that all but the upper bud will be covered by the soil. 

By Layers. — The usual manner of making layers of other 
woody plants is applicable to the Barberry, but they will 
seldom become well rooted the first season. Still they may 
be severed from the parent plant in the autumn or early 
spring ; the upper portions of the stems are cut ofl and 
then they are treated the same as cuttings. 



BAEBERRT. 25 

The layers may be made in early spring, of the previous 
season's growth, or later, when new wood is formed of suf- 
tioient length for the purpose. Layers put down in the 
autumn will become well rooted by the end of the next 
season. 

CULTURE. 

The Barberry, when left to itself, forms a dense shrub, 
with many stems, but when cultivated for its fruit a portion 
of the shoots should be annually removed to allow the sun 
and air to more readily reach all parts of the plant, and 
assist in developing the fruit buds. 

It may also be trained to a single stem, and when treated 
in this manner, some of the varieties will form shrubs ten 
to fifteen feet in hight. The fruit will also be larger and 
more abundant than when the plant is allowed to grow in 
the natural manner and without pruning. 

Each plant should be given plenty of room and not 
crowded, especially when fruit is the object of cultivation. 
Six to eight feet apart will be suflacient in ordinary soiL 

As before remarked, the Barberry will grow in dry and 
almost barren soil ; still, as no plant will produce the best 
results in such situations, it is best to give a good, deep 
and moderately rich soil even to plants that will grow in a 
poor one. 

VARIETIES AND USES. 

Berberis vulgaris. — This species and some of its varie- 
ties are probably better known in this country than any 
others. The most common is the original species, which is 
found growing wild in many places in the New England 
States. It is also quite common in gardens. The fruit is 
oblong, about half an inch in length and one-eighth across, 
of a bright scarlet color, very acid, but of agreeable flavor. 
Figure 3 shows a small branch, with fruit and flowers of 
natural size, and figure 4 gives a magnified single flower. 
There is a peculiarity about the stamens worthy of notice, 
2 



26 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



as they are endowed with a remarkable irritability. Wien 
the flowev opens, the stamens all lay back against ihe 




Fig. 3. — BARBERRY FLOWER AND FRUIT. 

petals, but when touched by an insect they spring' up 
against the pistil, where 
they discharge their pollen, f I 
This motion may be pro- l| 
duced by touching the sta- 1 1 
mens near the base with fe 
a pin or other point. The ^^' ' 

Fig. 4. stamens discharge their pollen in a rather 

unusual manner. In most stamens the anther, or pollen- 





BAEBEKRY. 27 

bearing portion, opens by slits, but in the Barberry a pair 
of little doors, or traps, lift up to allow the pollen to fail 
out. Figure 5 shows two enlarged stamens — one closed 
and the other open. 

The fruit and flowers are not produced at the same time 
upon the plant, but as a matter of convenience they are 
both shown on the same branch in the ensiravino;. The 
fruit is much used for preserves, pickles, jams, &c. 

The thorny character of the plant, with its upright, com- 
pact growth, makes it a very desirable hedge plant. 

The inner bark of the stem and roots is used in some 
countries for making a yellow dye. It is also used in Po- 
land and other portions of the East for tanning purposes. 

The best known varieties of this species are as follows : 

B. vulgaris alba. — White fruited. — Not very productive, 
and not so vigorous a grower as the original. 

B. vulgaris asperma. — A variety which produces fruit 
without seeds. It is not, however, constant, and plants 
propagated from it will often produce fruit with seeds. 
This variety has been known and cultivated in England 
for more than two hundred years, according to Parkinson, 
Gerarde and other old authors. 

B. vulgaris dulcis. — Sweet fruited. — Yery similar to the 
species. The fruit is a little larger and not quite so acid, 
and leaves bright green and shining. 

This variety should not be confounded with the before 
mentioned species, JBerberis dulcis, as the latter has black 
fruit of the size of a large currant, which is solitary, while 
that of the former is produced in racemes. 

B. vulgaris purpurea. — Purple leaved. — Leaves dark 
purple. On this account it is very ornamental. 

B* vulgaris glauca. — Leaves pale green and glaucous; 
not shining. 

B. vulgaris longifolia. — Leaves longer than in the spe- 
cies ; otherwise the same. 



28 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

B. Tlllgaris lutea. — Yellow fruited. — A variety with 
small yellow fruit; not very productive. 

B. vulgaris mitis. — Thorns small nnd not as rigid as in 
other varieties. 

B. vulgaris nigra. — Black fruited. — Tournefort found 
his variety on the banks of the Euphrates, about one hun- 
dred and fifty years ago. He says that the fruit is of a 
sweet and delicious flavor. I am not aware of its being 
cultivated in America. 

B. vulgaris purpurea. — Purple fruited. — Fruit dark red 
or purple. Leaves narrow, with few prickles. 

B. vulgaris violacea. — ^Violet fruited. — Fruit violet 
colored. 

There are probably many other varieties of this species, 
as the seedlings usually vary considerably, especially when 
the seeds are taken from kinds that are quite distinct from 
the original species. 

Seedlings grown from the purple-leaved variety will 
show a great diversity of foliage. Some will have purple 
leaves like the parent, while others will be margined with 
purple or red, or be wholly green. 

Berberis Sibirica. — Siberian Barberry. — Native of Si- 
beria, where it is found growing among rocks on hill sides 
and mountains. The plant seldom grows more than two 
feet high. Fruit oval, red, solitary, peduncle shorter 
than the leaves. 

The following, which may be distinct species, or only 
t^arieties, possess no particular merit as regards their fruit, 
out may interest the botanist or those who wish to make 
their collections as complete as possible : 

B* Iberica* — Iberian Barberry. — Berries deep purple. 

B. Sinensis. — Chinese Barberry. — Berries dull red. 

B. Cretica. — Cretan Barberry. — Berries oval, black, 
very astringent. 



BAEBEREY. 



29 



The Barberry is susceptible of great improvement, and 
might, if a proper amount of care were bestowed upon it, 
become a fruit of much importance ; whereas, at the pres- 
ent time, it is seldom admitted to the fruit garden, being 
mainly planted for ornamental purposes. 

DISEASES AND INSECTS. 

The Barberry is seldom injured to any considerable ex- 
tent by disease or insects. The leaves are sometimes in- 
jured by a species of fungus called ^cidhini JBerheridls. 
It usually makes its appearance on the upper end of the 
leaves (fig. 0), then becomes scattered over 
the surface, and extends to the fruit. To 
the eye it appears like fine reddish dust. 
When these rust-like spots are examined 
with a lens, they appear as in figure 7, 
and when more highly magnified the 
whole is found to consist of 
cup-like cells, as in figure 8. 
These cups are at first covered 
with a thin, light colored film. 
Fig. 6. which, when the fungus be- 

comes mature, bursts and leaves the edges of the cup with 
the uneven marp-in shown in fic^ure 8. When this covering^ 
bursts, the cups discharge their spores or reproductive 
dust, which is scattered over the leaves and fruit. 

This fungus or mildcAV has 
been supposed to cause the blight 
in wheat, and it is an old belief 
that the Barberry would cause 
the ixrain near which it grew to 
This belief has generally 






¥ig. a 



blast. 



been treated as a superstition by scientific men, but recent 
researches show that it may have a foundation in fact. 
Many of these minute fungi have in different generations 
very unlike forms. Thus, the spores of A will produce 



30 SMALL FKITIT CULTURIST. 

B. SO unlike A. that it has been taken fo^* a different 
fungus, and B. will again reproduce A. There is a strong 
probability that the rust of the Barberry and the smut in 
wheat are both forms of the same fungus. 

The injury which it causes to the Barberry is very slight, 
but it may become so prevalent as to be worthy of partico 
lar attention. Ashes or slacked lime scattered over th. 
leaves in the morning, when the dew is on them, woulc 
probably destroy it or check its progress. Another blight 
wliich affects the leaves later in the season, known as Ml 
crosphmria JSerberldls^ is shown highly magnified in figurt. 
9. It appears in very minute spots, with fine, rib-like ap- 
pendages radiating from the 
center, like the spokes of a 
wheel, the ends of each be- 
,^^ , ino; divided into several 

^ ^ small branches, as in figure 

10. This species of blight 
attacks the leaves so late in 
Fig. 9. Fig. 10. the season that it causes but 

little if any injury. The illustrations of these and the other 
minute fungi given in subsequent pages, are taken from a 
work called " Rust, Smut and Mildew," by M. C. Cook, 
London. This charming little work is beautifully illus- 
trated, and as it describes many fungi common to both 
this country and England, we call the attention of our 
readers to it, as the most available source of information 
concerning tliese humble, but, to the fruit grower, import- 
ant forms of vegetation. 

I am not aware of any insect that is injurious to the 
Barberry. The peculiar (and rather agreeable than other- 
wise) fragrance of the flowers attracts numerous insects to 
the plant when in bloom, and their presence is probably 
for the purpose of gathering food, while they aid at the same 
time in fertilizing the flowers by irritating the stamens. 




CHAPTER II. 

THE STRAWBERRY-Fragaria 

NATURAL FAMILY RoSaceCB. 

[Name derived from fragram, perfumed in reference to the fragrance of the 
frnit. French, Ftxmer ; German, Erdbeerpflanze ; Dutch, Aadbezie ; Italian, 
I^anta dl fragola ; Spanish, Freza. The name of Strawberry is said by Pryor 
to be derived from the Anglo Saxon " StreobeiHe^'''' either from its stravi--like 
haulms, or from their laying strown upon the ground. Other authors arive differ- 
ent derivations.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Calyx flat or reflexed, deeply five-cleft, with the same 
number of bractlets, thus appearing to be ten-cleft. Petals 
five, white, erect, spreading. Stamens many, usually about 
twenty. Pistils numerous, adhering at the base to the 
small seed-like fruits, these are situated on the fleshy re- 
ceptacle, which enlarges and becomes what is generally 
called the fruit or berry. Increased by seeds, runners and 
divisions of the roots. Stemless perennials, with or without 
runners. Leaves radical, divided into three leaflets, obovate 
wedge-form, coarsely serrate, evergreen. Root fibrous, 
rather woody, perennial. 

SPECIES 

Fragaria vesca. — Edible Strawberry, Alpine Straw* 
berry. Wood Strawberry, &c. — Seeds superficial, on the 
conical or hemispherical fruiting receptacle (not sunk in a 
cavity). Flower stalks longer than the leaves, erect, hairy, 
hairs closely pressed upward. Fruit drooping, usually con* 
ical, sometimes globular. Leaves thin, pale green ; upper 
surface uneven, slightly wavy. Native of Europe and 
America. 



32 SMALL FRUIT CUJ.TURIST. 

Fragaria COllina. — Green Strawberry. — This is consid- 
ered by some botanists as a species, but the only really 
distinct character is in its fruit, which is greenish-brown 
w^heii ripe. 

Fragaria elaliori — Hautbois Strawberry. — Calyx re- 
flexed. Seeds superficial. Flower stalks longer than the 
leaves, erect. Fruit round or oblate, usually drooping, but 
BOinetimes erect, possessing a strong musky flavor. Hnira 
on both leaf and flower-stalks long, and widely spreading, 
somewhat reflexed. Leaves larger than in F. vesca, and 
more or less pubescent, covered with short hairs on both 
upper and lower surface, giving them a rough appearance. 
Native of Germany. 

Fra§^aria Indica. — India Strawberry. — A species with 
yellow flowers. Fruit not edible. Native of India. 

Fragaria Virgilliana. — Virginian Strawberry. — Seeds 
imbedded in the deeply pitted receptacle. Fruit roundish, 
ovoid to conical, highly perfumed. Flower stalks shorter 
than the leaves, hairy ; hairs spreading, more or less erect. 
Leaves obovate, wedge form, variable, coarsely serrate, 
usually dark green ; upper surface smooth, often shining. 
Native of North America. Chiefly in the United States 
and southern portions of Canada. 

Fragaria grandiflora, — Large flowering Strawberry. — 
Calyx erect, slightly spreading. Seeds set in a shallow de- 
pression. Flowers larger than in other species. Fruit 
sweet, perfumed. Flesh firm. Flower stalks shorter than 
the leaves. Leaves smooth, usually deep green. Serra- 
tures broadly ovate. Native of South America. 

HISTORY. 

It is of little consequence to the horticulturist of the 
present day whether any particular kind of fruit familiar 
to us was known in ancient times. Still, we often find our- 
selves sending a thought back into the dim and uncertain 



STRAWBERRY. 33 

past, pickiDc^ up here and there a stray word or line that 
informs us that some of the fruits now cultivated by us 
were also known to those of former ages. 

The number of such old time fruits is quite limited, and 
most of them are of quality so inferior that we would 
hardly be willing to exchange those of our time for the 
productions of any period. 

The Strawberry was probably not cultivated in olden 
times, as it is scarcely mentioned by the Roman writers on 
agriculture. Some who are most explicit in other matters 
pertaining to fruit-culture do not mention it, while Pliny, 
Ovid and Virgil only casually refer to it, and this reference 
is not for the purpose of aiding its culture. 

From a few lines in one of those old works, we infer that 
the children in ancient times had similar tastes to those of 
the present, and that they found no day so hot, or hill so 
steep^as to deter them frooi seeking the little gems in the 
tall grass, or through bramble and wood. We, who were 
so fortunate as to spend our youthful days in the country, 
can appreciate the following lines of Virgil, as translated 
by Warton, as they touch a heart-string whose vibrations 
send memory back to joyful days in the past: 

" Ye boys that gather flowers and strawberries, 
Lo, hid witliin the grass a serpent lies." 

"We learn from the ancient writers nothing in relation to 
Strawberry culture that is of any practical value. We are, 
therefore, compelled to turn to those of modern times for 
any reliable information. 

There are facts connected with the history of the Straw- 
berry that it is important for us to know. 

For instance, from what country, climate or situation 
were certain species derived ? If a species came originally 
from a very warm country, it is doubtful if it will ever be 
so well adapted to a cold latitude as one obtained from a 
climate similar to the one in which it is to be cultivated. 

By hybridizing, we may so intermingle species that it 



34 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

will be difficult to tell from what particular source they 
originated. Yet, if there be any feeble or tender element 
in their composition, it will be constantly showing itself, 
and a continual source of annoyance to the cultivator. It 
is for this reason that it is always desirable to know as 
much of the history and origin of a fruit as possible, 
specially if it is to be selected as the parent from which 
new varieties are to be produced. 

There are instances where a species has succeeded better 
in a foreign country than at home ; but such cases are only 
exceptional, and where the climates are similar, or the spe- 
cies naturally had a very wide range in latitude. 

The Strawberry is probably more widely distributed thaD 
any other plant we cultivate. 

The Fragaria vesca, or Alpine Strawberry, grows in the 
mountains of Greece and northward to Britain, where, in 
the latter country, it assumes a diiferent form, and is there 
called the Wood Strawberry. 

The principal difference between the two is in the 
form of the fruit, the Alpine being conical, while the 
Wood varieties are round. The Alpine Strawberry is also 
a native of North America, being found in high woods and 
fields in most of the jS'orthern States, and far to the North 
in the Canadas. There appear to be several natural varie- 
ties of this species in Europe, which have been known for 
several centuries. In 1483, the garden of the Bishop of 
Ely, at Holborn, in England, was celebrated for its excel- 
lent Strawberries. They were probably the common Wood 
Strawberries of the country — one with red fruit, the other 
white. The Alpines were introduced into England some 
two hundred years later. There are two original varieties 
the same in color as the Wood Strawberries. There are 
also monthly varieties, and those which do not produce 
runners. 

The original species or varieties appear to persistently 
retain their normal characteristics under aU the varied 



STRAWBERIIT. 35 

changes wliicb they have been subjected to in cultivation. 
This constancy of the F. vesca may account for the 
fact that no advance, of any importance, was made in 
Strawberry culture in Europe until other and more variable, 
as well as valuable, species were introduced. 

In 1578, Lyte, in his translation of " Dodoens Herball," 
mentions only the Wood Strawberry. Gerarde, in 1597, 
named the White and Red Wood Strawberry. In 1623, 
Casper Bauhin, in his " Pinax," mentions the White and 
Red Wood, Alpine, and Hautboy or Ilaarbeer Strawberries. 
Parkinson, in his Paradisus, 1629, page 528, says that there 
are divers sorts in cultivation, and names the Red and 
White Wood, Green, Virginia, and another variety, which 
he called the Bohemian. In his Theatrum Botanicum, is- 
sued in 1 640, page 758, he mentions a variety of the Al- 
pine, which, he says, is barren, producing no fruit. It was 
probably one of the Potentillas, and not a Strawberry, for 
he also describes another variety which, he says, has yellow 
flowers, and the seeds are in a dry, compact head, and the 
plant has smaller leaves, and creeps along the ground with 
many fine stems. 

About 1660 a Strawberry grower at Montreuil, in France, 
is said to have produced a new variety from the seed of the 
Wood Strawberry. It was called the Cappron, but after- 
wards the Fressant. This is the first improved variety of 
which we have any account. It was in cultivation at the 
time that Evelyn translated Quintinies " French Gardiner," 
in 1682 ; also mentioned by Duchesne, about a hundred 
years later. 

The persistency with which some species reproduce 
tliemselves is quite remarkable, but not more so than the 
equally great variations that are constantly being developed 
in others. 

Those species from which we have produced the greatest 
mimber of valuable varieties, generally show the greatest 
diversity of character in their natural or normal condition* 



36 SMALL FRUIT CULTUUIST. 

The Virginian Strawberry, which is the most common 
Strawberry of our woods and fields, was introduced mto 
England early in the seventeenth century ; but little atten- 
tion, however, was paid to its cultivation for nearly or 
quite one hundred years thereafter. But as soon as its 
valuable qualities were discovered, and it was found that 
by merely sowing seeds new varieties, greatly differing 
from the parent, were readily produced, it began to attract 
the attention of fruit growers, and received the care it 
deserved. 

It is the most fragrant of all known species, possessing 
a delightful, aromatic perfume, not surpassed by any other 
fi-uit. It is a robust and vigorous grower, withstanding 
the severe cold of our noi'thern winters, as well as the 
burning sun of summer. It assumes very distinct charac- 
ters in different locations, those of the Western States 
varying considerably from those of the Eastern, so much 
so that the varieties grown from them usually retain their 
peculiar characteristics through an almost indefinite num- 
ber of generations. 

Among the varieties in cultivation at the present time 
we can. recognize many whose parentage can be traced to 
the western plants, while others are unmistakably from 
those of the Eastern States. I will name a few of each class, 
and those who are acquainted with them will more readily 
recognize their peculiar characters than they could from 
any descriptions which I might give — only premising 
that the western class, as a rule, produce the largest, soft- 
est, and most acid fruit. 

The best known of the western type are : Austin, Iowa, 
Downer's Prolific, Green Prolific, General Scott, and 
Victory. 

Of the eastern type, Early Scarlet, Jenny Lind, Scott'g 
Seedling, Boston Pine, Brighton Pine, &c. 

The various forms observed in the F. Virginian a in dif 
ferent portions of the country, have given rise to much dis- 



STRAWBERRY. 37 

cussion as to whether all these variations should be classed 
as one species, or separated into different ones. Dr. 
Asy Gray dasses them all as one species, and he is un- 
doubtedly correct. 

A few would-he authorities will not acknowledge that a 
species can possibly be variable, and still be the same. 
Consequently we often see long essays from such men, in 
which thcjP. Yirginlana is divided into numerous species, 
such as F. Illinoiensis, F. lowaensis, &c. We might with 
as much propriety separate our American chestnut into 
innumerable species, for there is as great difference in the 
nuts and growth of the tree as is to be found in the com- 
mon Strawberry. 

Free discussion in scientific matters is to a certain extent 
beneficial; but it is doubtful whether the present or fu- 
ture generations will be benefited by such dissertations as 
frequently appear in some of our rural periodicals or in 
our agricultural reports, purporting to come from intelli- 
gent men, while the fact is apparent to every one who has 
the least knowledge on the subject of which they treat, 
that said articles are a mass of errors, and the authors 
write for other purposes than those of giving information 
to the people. 

For a number of years the Virginia Strawberry had no 
successful rival in English gardens, though it was never so 
highly appreciated in Britain as here, from the fact that it 
is more acid and not so highly flavored in the moist cool 
climate of that country as in our own. 

The introduction of the South American species {F 
grandiflora) gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture in 
Europe. 

The fruit is naturally much larger and sweeter than any 
of the other species, consequently it does not require so 
cnuch heat to develop its saccharine qualities. That pe« 
3uliar aromatic sprightliness, which is such a prominent 



38 SMALL FRUIT CFLTUEIST. 

feature in the F. Virglniana^ is, however, almost entirely 
wanting in other species. 

The same dissectuig process has been applied to the 
South American species as to our northern one, and it is 
sometimes called F. Chiliensis^ F. JBonariensis, &g. — the 
name usually indicating the place from which the supposed 
distinct species was derived. That the different varieties 
discovered in the various portions of the comitry are quite 
distinct, everyone who is acquainted with them will admit. 
Yet these variations are no greater than have already 
been mentioned in those of other species. 

The first account we have of the South American Straw- 
berry is in 1716, when M. Frezier, in his voyage to the 
South Sea, found it at the foot of the Cordillera Mountains, 
near Quito, and carried it home to Marseilles, in France. 

It was at that time called the Chili Strawberry, and the 
Spaniards said that they had previously brought it from 
Mexico. 

We do not learn from any of the old French works that 
any new varieties were raised from the Chili Strawberry 
for at least fifty years after its introduction. Duchesne, in 
1766, says " that Miller considered its cultivation as aban- 
doned in England on account of its sterility." The impor- 
tations from other portions of South America appear to 
have met with better success, and about fifty years ago 
new varieties of the F grandiflora, as well as of the Yir- 
giniana, became quite abundant in England and on the 
Continent. 

At the present time the varieties of F. grandiflora appear 
to be valued more highly in Europe than any other — at least 
we judge so from the fact that almost all of the new varie- 
ties impoi'ted of late years show more of the characteristics 
ot this species than of others. This may account for the 
tliilure of so many of the new foreign varieties in the 
Northern States. The severe cold of our winters, and our 



STRAWBERKY. 39 

dry, hot summers, are two extremes that they cannot with- 
stand. 

Occasionally we receive a variety which, by extra care 
and protection in winter, will produce a large crop ; but, 
as a whole, it is doubtful whether the Strawberry growers 
in the United States have been permanently benefited by 
the introduction of any of the new varieties raised from 
the grandiflora. They may have awakened a taste for 
more thorough experiments in Strawberry culture, and by 
hybridizing them with our more hardy kinds jjroduced 
new ones of real value. 

SEXUALITY OF THE STRAWBERRY. 

Naturally the Strawberry flower possesses stamens and 
pistils ; it is therefore perfect, as both of these organs are 
necessary for the production of fruit. Every botanist, from 
Linnaeus down to the present time, has described the 
Strawberry flower as perfect or bi-sexual. 

Therefore, to assume that this is not the normal charac- 
ter (as a few writers of late have done) is to controvert all 
of our botanical authorities, and charge them with over- 
looking that which the most casual observer could have 
seen. When plants are taken from their native habitats 
and placed under cultivation, they very often assume forms 
j[uite difi*erent from their natural ones. Sometimes a par- 
ticular organ is suppressed, while others are enlarged ; thus 
we have the pistillate Strawberry and the double rose. 

Occasionally the seeds of domesticated plants are carried 
by birds or animals to w^oods and fields quite distant 
from the garden in which they are cultivated, and if per- 
chance they are deposited under favorable conditions they 
will produce fruit similar to that from which they ori- 
ginated. If we find a pistillate Strawberry or double rose 
growing wild, does it prove that these are the normal char« 
acters of the genus ? Far from it ; but it only shows that 



40 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST, 



plants are susceptible of change under certain circumstances, 
and especially when these 
are not perfectly natural. 

The Strawberry be- 
longs to the same great 
natural family as the rose, 
but when placed under 
those artificial circum- 
stances to which it is 
subjected when cultivat- 
ed, instead of becoming 
double, (although semi- 
double varieties are occa- 
, sionally produced,) the 
stamens are sometimes ^^»- H— perfect flower. 

suppressed, and varieties are produced with flowers con^ 
taining pistils only. 





Fig. 13. — PERFECT FLOWER ENLARGED. 

Figure 11 shows what is termed a perfect or bi-sexual 
flower. The pistils are in the center, while around them 



STRAWBEEKY. 



41 



are some twenty or more organs, which are called stamens. 
These are quite different in appearance from the pistils, be- 
ing longer, and each one is terminated by a small knob, 
which is called the anther. The anthers contain pollen^ a 




Fiy. 13. — SECTION OF PERFECT FLOWER, 

substance that is necessary for the production of seed. In 
figure 12 is shown the same flower as in figure 11, but, be- 
ing considerably enlarged, the stamens are more readily 
seen. The same flower is shown in flo-ure 13, divided lono-i- 
tudinally to show the parts still more distmctly, and their 
relative positions. 

Every so-called seed of the Strawberry has one pistil 
situated on its apex ; consequently it is a 
very important organ, inasmuch as it is 
through this channel that the influence of 
the pollen reaches the ovule or seed vessel. 

The stamens are situated on the calyx, 
and they may be artificially removed or 
suppressed by nature, in wliicli case we 
have a pistillate flower which will produce 
fruit, if the pistils are fertilized from 
another flower. It is not important 
whether a flower produces its own pol- 
len or is supplied from another source. 

Figure 14 shows a pistillate flower of 
the usual size, and in figure 15 the same enlarged. By com- 
paring these with the two preceding the difierence may 
readily be observed. 




Fig. 14.— PISTIL- 
LATE FLOWERS. 



42 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

The size of these is also variable ; sometimes they are 




Fis;-. 15. — PISTILLATE FLOWEU ENLARGED. 

considerably larger than those shown as of natural size. 

The flowers of Fragaria grandlflora are larger than 
those of other species, and 
sometimes they have seven pe- 
tals, as shown in figure 16, 
while five is the usual number. 

Another variation from the 
natural form, although very 
rarely seen, is that of flowers 
without any pistils. These, 
of course, j)roduce no fruit, 
and they are nothing more nor 
less than degenerated or de- 
formed specimens, and are not 
worthy of notice farther than 

,1 ,T T 1 Fiff. 10. — FLOWER WITH 7 PETALS, 

to show the peculiar changes ^ 

that sometimes occur in cultivated plants. 

The foregoing are the principal forms noticed in both 




STRAWBERRY. 43 

wild and cultivated varieties, but there are various grada- 
tions from each of these ; for, while the natural flower gen- 
erally contains about twenty stamens, some cultivated 
varieties have less than half that number, while others, as 
I have shown, possess none. Consequently, if a variety is 
produced which has flowers destitute of stamens, it will be 
dependent upon others for fertilization. Many such have 
from time to time been produced and disseminated in the 
last fifty years. That some seedlings produced perfect 
flowers, while others have those that are imperfect, was ob- 
served in Europe at least a hundred years ago. This pecu- 
liarity was first observed in the seedlings of the Hautbois, 
but afterwards in the seedlings of other species, although 
it does not appear to be of so common occurrence in Eu- 
rope as in the United States. 

The reas«. a for this I am not able to state, unless it be 
because the Fragaria Virginiana^ from which the greater 
portion of our varieties is produced, is more subject to 
the change than other species. It may be that our climate 
has something to do with it, but whatever may be the 
cause, the effect is apparent in many pistillate varieties of 
Strawberries in cultivation. 

Keen reported his observations upon this variation in the 
sexes of the Strawberry, in 1809, to the London Horticul- 
tural Society. Tliis called the attention of growers in this 
country to the subject, but very little was said or written 
in relation to it until Mr. Hovey produced his seedling 
Strawberry in 1834. 

This being a pistillate, and the largest and best variety 
that had been as yet produced in this country, it gave rise 
to an immense amount of discussion upon the sexuality of 
the Strawberry. There appear to be a few men who are 
always ready to ride any new hobby, whether it has one 
leg or more. Consequently there were a few who imme- 
diately started the theory that the botanists had made a 
great mistake, and that the Strawberry was naturally di- 



44 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST 

CEceous, 1 e., one plant bearing staminate flowers and the 
other pistillate ones. 

Considerable excitement was created in consequence, and 
communications innumerable upon the subject were poured 
into our horticultural journals, each writer claiming to 
have discovered something new in regard this, to them, 
wonderful phenomenon. 

One writer has for the past ten years or more, almost 
annually, given the public a grand diagnosis of the case, 
asserting that the pistillate varieties were the only ones to 
be depended upon for a large crop, and that they were 
naturally the most productive, while the facts are that there 
are hundreds of perfect flowering kinds in cultivation that 
are fully equal, if not superior, to the most productive pis- 
tillates. Tliat we have many very excellent varietiea 
among this latter class no one will deny, but that, as a 
whole, they are any better than the others cannot be sub- 
stantiated by facts. 

There is but one serious objection to the pistillate varie- 
ties, and that is, two kinds must be grown to insure a crop 
from one, or a perfect flowering variety must be grown 
near a pistillate to fertilize its flowers, or no fruit will be 
produced. This is imperatively necessary ; consequently 
the close proximity of the two kinds has led to nnich con- 
fusion, inasmuch as the runnei'S of tlie two are very liable 
to intermingle, unless great care is exercised to prevent it. 
I have usually found it more difficult to get pure plants of 
the pistillate varieties than of the others, and the excuse 
given by the grower for the mixture was that the variety 
grown for the purpose of fertilizing them had become in- 
termingled. If this is the only reason, it is certainly a 
very lame one, as there is no necessity for the plants be- 
ing mixed, because setting the two kinds in adjacent beds 
will answer every purpose. 

But without presuming to advance a theory on the sub- 
iect, I would suggest whether it is not possible that varia^ 



STRAWBERRY. 45 

tioiis may have been made on growing plants by the influ- 
ence of the pollen from diflferent varieties. It is generally 
supposed that no effect is produced except on the seeds, but 
as it is most conclusively proved in animal physiology that 
the female retains the effect of the first impregnation in her 
system for years, may not the same be true of plants, and 
the admixture or deterioration of one, and the improve- 
ment of another kind growing in close proximity, be caused 
by tlie absorption of qualities each from the other ? 

If the effect of the pollen reaches no further than the 
seeds, why is not the fruit (receptacle) produced without 
them. But we find that wherever the pistils are not fer- 
tilized the receptacle also fails, or if a portion only is sup- 
plied with pollen then the receptacle is deformed in pro- 
portion. Remove one, two, or more pistils before they 
are fertilized, and the berry, just at that point, fails to en- 
large or come to maturity. No seeds, no berry, is the rule. 

If the Strawberry seed was large enough to be readily 
examined, we should probably see a difference in color and 
form just as we notice in mixed varieties of corn. In the 
latter we can see that the influence of cross fertilization 
extends further than the seed, because its receptacle (cob) 
is often chanojed beneath the kernel to a color similar to 
that of the variety which produced the pollen. 

It is often asserted that the Hovey is better when fertil- 
ized with one kind than with another, and may not this be 
true further than that of being fully supplied with pollen ? 

Strawberry culture would probably have been just as 
far advanced if we had never had a pistillate variety in 
cultivation, and much confusion would have been avoided. 
Had not Mr. Hovey produced so good a pistillate variety 
as he did, it is very likely that such kinds would have never 
been tolerated by fruit growers anywhere. But the advent 
of this variety gave a new impetus to Strawberry culture, 
and at the present time it is considered in some sections as 
4 standard market fruit. 



46 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

Another important consideration in cultivating pistillate 
varieties is to grow as a fertilizer a kind that produces an 
abundance of pollen ; besides that the tvro should bloom at 
the same time. 

STRUCTURE OF THE PLANTS. 

All the varieties and species of the Strawberry have a 
fam.ily resemblance ; still there is considerable difference in 
the form and structure. Some produce large stools, while 
others naturally divide into individual plants. One of the 
prominent features of the Strawberry is to multiply by 
runners ; yet among the Alpine or Wood species we have 
varieties which produce none or very sparingly. There- 
fore it is apparent that the different forms will require dif- 
ferent treatment. Some have long, slender, wiry roots, 
while others have very short, fleshy ones, each of which 
require a soil suited to their growth, if the very highest 
development is obtained. 

Our native varieties, particularly those grown from the 
F. Virginiana, have longer and more wiry roots than 
those grown from the F. grandiflora. Consequently 
they are better suited to field cultivation, and where the 
soil is not frequently stirred, or upon light soil, the roots will 
spread further in search of food and they are not so 
readily affected by drouth. 

There is another peculiarity in the form of the roots 
which is worthy of attention. The native Strawberry 
produces stools, but the crowns, instead of adhering to- 
gether, often separate as they become old, each j^roducing 
roots for self-support. 

To show more fully the peculiar form usually observed 
in the varieties of the F. Virginiana and F. grandiflora^ 
I have inserted the two following illustrations taken from 
the Strawberry Culturist. 

Figure 17 is an exact rejDresentation, half size, of a plant 
of the Boston Pine that is three years old. While it 



STRAWBERRY. 



47 




Fig. 17.— OLD K.AI^T OF BOSTON PINK. 



•JS SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

shows a number of crowns, there are not more than two 
united on one stem. Varieties of this class naturally di- 
vide, and do not form large or very compact stools ; con- 
sequently the crowns remain more nearly on the level of 
the surface than when they are united, as seen is figure 18, 
which represents a plant of Triomphe de Gand of the 
same age as the other. 

A, and D represent the side crowns, and B the cen- 
tral one ; E, the old fruit stalk of the present season; F, 
F, new roots starting from the base of the side crowns 
above the soil. In this variety the crowns are produced 
almost on the top of the old ones ; consequently the plants 
are continually becoming higher, until, at last, the new 
roots cannot reach the soil, and the plant languishes and 
dies. Although tlie Strawberry root is perennial, still 
one new root is of more importance to the plant than a 
dozen old ones. The difference in the structure of the 
two plants suggests the need of a peculiar cultivation for 
each, and by experience we have learned that many of 
our nutive varieties wall remain productive for many years, 
even when allowed to grow without cultivation, while 
very few of the varieties of F. grandiflora will succeed 
under similar treatment. 

To keep a succession of new roots and continued vigor 
for a number of years, those varieties with roots similar 
to the Triomphe should be grown in rows or hills, so that 
fresh soil may be drawn up to the plants when required. 
I do not wish to be understood as advocating the cultiva- 
tion of plants for a long time without removal, but throw 
out these hints for the purpose of showing that frequent re- 
movals are more necessary with some than with others. 

PROPAGATION. 

There are three modes of propagating the Strawberry 
in use at the present time, viz. : seeds, runners and divi' 
sions of the roots.. 



STRAWBERRY, 



49 




Fig. 18. — OLD PLANT OF TRIOMPHE DB GAJJD. 



50 SMALL FRUIT CXTLTURIST. 

By Seed. — To obtain seods, the fruit should be gath 
ered when fully ripe, spread out and dried, thus preserving 
it in the pulp ; or the fruit mi\y be crushed in water and 
the seeds washed out cleanly. The good seeds will sink 
and the pulp will remain on the surface, from which it can 
be readily removed. 

The seeds may be sown immediately, or kept until the 
next spring. 

The plan which I have usually adopted in raising seed 
lings is as follows : 

Gather the largest berries of the very best varieties to be 
obtained, then mix them with dry sand, crushing the fruit, 
and so thoroughly manipulating the mass that no two 
seeds will remain together. Then sow the sand contain- 
ing -/je seed, either in some half shady situation in the 
open ground, or in pots or boxes. The soil in which they 
are sown should be light and friable, and the seeds not 
covered more than one-quarter of an inch deep. Keep 
the soil moist, and the plants will usually begin to appear 
in four to six weeks after sowing. When they have 
formed four or five leaves they may be transplanted into 
the open ground — if they have been started in pots or 
boxes. When sown in the open ground, it is best to let 
them remain in the seed-bed until the following spring, 
protecting them with straw, leaves or other similar ma- 
tericd in winter. Transplant into rows at least two feet 
apart, and the same distance in the row ; keep off all run- 
lers the first season and hoe often. 

Occasionally a seedling will produce fruit the second 
fieason — that is, plants started in the autumn will fruit the 
next spring ; but they will not be strong enough to bear 
fruit that will be a reliable indication of their future value. 
It is best to protect the plants the first and second winters, 
if no longer, so that they will have nothing to obstruct 
their full development. The third season, look over the 
plants very carefully when in bloom, aod mark the sex of 



STKAWBERRT. 51 

»ach, so that it shall be known when the fruit is ripe 
whether the flowers are pistillate or perfect. When a 
variety has been produced that promises well, it should be 
carefully taken up and planted by itself, that its runners 
may have an opportunity of taking root without inter- 
mingling with others. 

The plant may be removed just so soon as the character 
of the fruit is determined upon, always choosing a wet 
day if convenient ; if not, give the soil about the plant 
a good soaking, and then remove it with as much soil ad- 
hering as possible. Shade it a few days after removal to 
prevent its wilting. 

I would caution the novice not to be too sanguine about 
the value of new seedlings, because they will very often 
appear much better the first season than ever after. 

A few years since I raised a large number of seedlings, 
and when ripe, a committee of six very competent gentle- 
men was appointed by the Farmers' Club of the Ameri- 
can Institute to examine and report upon them. Seventy 
varieties were marked and described as very promising 
and worthy of further trial. Seventy beds were very 
thoroughly prepared, and each original plant carefully 
placed in the center of one of these beds. About a dozen 
runners were allowed to grow from each plant, and all 
others removed. The next season the same committee 
examined them again, and they reduced the number to 
seven. These were given more room and continued care 
until another season, when the number was reduced to 
three. 

I give this as the result of only one experiment; others 
might be given with similar results. It is a very easy 
matter to originate new varieties, but to get one that shall 
be superior, or even equal, to the best now in cultivation, 
is not so readily accomplished as some may suppose, 

I would advise every one to try, because there is a 
chance of producing one that will be better adapted to 



52 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

the grower's soil or location than any that could be pro- 
duced elsewhere. 

PROPAGATION BY RUNNERS. 

The varieties mainly cultivated in this country are 
propagated from the runners. The first produced are 
usually the strongest and best for early planting, but 
those that are formed later in the season are equally as good 
when they arrive at the same age or size. A few theorists 
have maintained that the first plants formed near the 
parent stool were the only ones that should be used, and 
that they were far superior to the others, and would al- 
ways be more prolific. This asseition is not supported by 
facts ; consequently is not worthy of a moment's thought. 
To insure the rooting of runners, the surface of the soil 
should be kept loose and open, and if the weather is very 
dry at the time they are forming, it is well to go over the 
beds and cover the new roots as they are produced. 
When only a few very large and strong plants are wanted, 
it is well to pinch off the runner just beyond the first 
plant, that this may become strong and vigorous. 

POT PLANTS. 

In the first edition of this work I stated that it was a 
good plan, in order to insure the safe removal of the run- 
ners, to jilunge pots filled with rich soil in the beds, and 
let the roots strike into them, then, when well rooted, the 
young plants could be taken up and removed with perfect 
safety. This hint seems to have led our strawberry grow- 
ers to introduce the pot-grown or layered plants, as a 
distinct feature in their business, and for the past few 
years the merits of plants thus propagated have been 
highly extolled m nurserymen's catalogues. To propagate 
plants m this manner is certainly far more expensive than 
to allow the runners to take root m the ordinary way, and 
without assistance on the part of the cultivator, and they 



STRAWBERRY. 53 

are also worth more because less liable to fail when trans- 
planted or transported to any considerable distance. It 
IS true that the pot-grown plants will yield a moderate 
crop the following season, an advantage which amateur 
cultivators appreciate far more highly than do those who 
cultivate fruit for market ; but it is a question if the few 
berries thus obtained .are really worth the extra price 
asked, and the care required to joroduce them. This, 
however, is a matter for the purchasers of plants to de- 
cide ; the propagator's province is to supply whatever is 
in demand. Any small plants which have not produced 
sufficient roots to insure their safety during winter, may 
be taken up and set in cold frames, where the roots will 
continue to grow until the soil is frozen. 

The richer and better the soil, the more rapid will be 
the production of roots, whether in frames or in the open 
ground. It is a good plan to cover the surface of the soil 
with fine pure manure before the runners start in spring. 
The runners draw tlieir sustenance from the parent plant 
until they have formed roots of their own, but these roots 
should find food soon after they are emitted. If the beds 
can be watered, it will insure the rapid emission of roots. 

PROPAGATION BY ROOT DIVISIONS. 

This mode is seldom practised except with the Bush 
Alpine Strawberries, which produce few or no runnei's. 
In the early spring, take up the stools and divide them, 
leaving only one crown to the plant. If the old root is 
very long, it is best to cut oif the lower end, and plant 
as deep as can be done without covermg the leaves. 

SOIL AND SITUATION. 

No one kind of soil is equally well adapted to every va- 
riety. A deep, rich, sandy loam is most generally recom- 
mended, and is perhaps on the whole the best. 

Still a light sand or heavy clay may be made, with a 
yery little expense, to produoe abundant crops. 



54 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

A deep soil, whether it be naturally light or heavy, is 
one of the requisites imperatively demanded by the 
Strawberry. If the soil is naturally very wet, it may re- 
quire underdraining ; but there are few farms on which a 
situation may not be found where deep plowing will not 
render the soil suitable for a Strawberry bed. Thorough 
preparation of the soil is the very foundation of success, 
therefore no slovenly system — such as once plowing and 
harrowing — should be tolerated ; but the ground should 
not only be plowed, but cross-plowed, and if not natural- 
ly deep and friable, it should be subsoiled at least sixteen 
inches deep. If the cultivator will only bear in mind that 
one acre jn-epared in the best manner will produce more 
fruit than three or four acres fitted as is usually done, he 
will understand the importance of doing it well. 

There is not one acre of Strawberries in a thousand, 
that yields over one-half that it would if the ground was 
properly prepared before planting. It is with Strawberries 
as with other fruits — too many acres and too little care. 

The situation should be open and airy, because in such 
there is less danger of injury by late spring frosts. 

To secure early ripening, a southern exposure is pref- 
erable, and for a late crop a northern one. By planting 
the earliest varieties m a warm situation, and the latest 
in a cool one, the season may be considerably lengthened. 

MANURES, 

The Strawberry is not very particular as to the kind of 
manure it receives, provided it is in sufficient quantities. 
To tell a man who cultivates the Strawberry on the rich 
prairie soil of the West that he must apply manure to his 
soil before planting, would be considered a very foolish 
recommendation ; but to undertake to grow them on al- 
most any of our eastern lands without it would be equally 
absurd. In fact, most of our fruit growers in the Eastern 
States determine their profits in advance, simply by the 



STRAWBEKRY. 55 

Bmoiint of manure applied to the soil — the more abundant 
the application the greater the profits. 

All plants require food, and it is evident tliat if it is not 
in the soil it must be placed there, or no satisfactory re- 
sults will be obtained. In the Eastern States we gather 
fruit in proportion to the amount of plant-food which wO 
place in the soil. 

Old and thoroughly decomposed barn-yard manure is 
scarcely to be excelled for the Strawberry. But it is often 
the case that a sufficient quantity of this cannot be ob- 
tained, and if so, then the next best thing to be done is 
to make a compost of barn-yard manure and muck, leaves 
or sods, using one load of manure and two of either of 
the others. Mix them together, and let them remain in a 
heap for three months or more, not forgetting to turn it 
over at least once a month. 

In heavy soils fresh manure may be used without injury, 
and it* a liberal application of peat or light friable muck is 
given it will be very beneficial. In sandy soils a compost 
of muck and manure is one of the best fertilizers that can 
be applied. In fact, pure muck from the swamps, placed 
where it can be frequently stirred, will become in one 
season suitable to be applied directly to the roots of al- 
most any plant. 

If lime, ashes, spent hops from the breweries, castor 
pomace or any similar materials be added, even in small 
quantities, it will assist very much in its decomposition 
and fitting it for the use of plants. There are thousands 
of acres of land in the Eastern States that are now pro- 
ducing nothing, not even weeds, because manure cannot 
be obtained in sufficient quantities to make them fertile, 
and yet in many instances these very acres are bordered 
with muck-beds which are nothins: more or less than inex- 
haustible deposits of manure. 

The time is probably not far distant when these mines 



56 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

of wealth will be worked to an extent not dreamed of at 
the present time. 

Concentrated manures — such as bone, guano, poudretto, 
&G. — are sometimes used upon the Strawberry with good 
results. It requires some care in their application, or the 
plants are liable to be injured thereby. 

Ashes are also valuable, particularly on sandy soils. 
They may be applied by scattering upon the surface at 
the rate of from ten to twenty bushels per acre. A far 
more preferable mode is to compost them with muck or 
leaf mold from the woods, but they should never be 
mixed with manure, for they will cause it to give off, in 
the form of gases, the very materials which should be re- 
tained. 

Lime is said to be injurious to the Strawberry, particu- 
larly when applied directly or aloue. I have had no per- 
sonal experience with it upon the Strawberry, but have 
known several instances of fliilure, the cause of which 
was attributed to the use of lime. 

TIME TO PLANT. 

Spring and fall are the two seasons in which the Straw- 
berry is usually transplanted. Although with the requisite 
care the operation may be performed at any time during 
the summer, the spring seems to be the more natural 
and preferable one of the two. 

The plants are then just starting into growth after their 
long rest. The small amount of foliage which has sur- 
vived the winter is fully matured ; consequently it calls 
for very little nutriment from the roots. The warm spring 
rains supply the plants with moisture, and the very atmos- 
phere of this season appears to be full of life. 

Fall planting is usually performed in AuG:ust and Sep- 
tember in the Northern States. 

This season has one advantage, and that is : if the 
plants can be set so early that they will become firmly 



STKAWBEKRY. 57 

rooted before cold weather, they will sometimes produce 
a partial crop the ensuing season, as well as make a 
stronger growth, than if the operation is deferred until 
spring. 

When one has the plants so near at hand that they can 
be removed without having their roots exposed to the air 
for a few moments even, besides having an opportunity of 
selecting rainy or cloudy weather for the operation, then 
it may be done in the autumn with success. But when 
the plants are to be brought from a distance, and when, 
as it will often occur, they arrive in a time of drouth, fall 
planting becomes a doubtful advantage. I do not wish to 
discourage fill trade in Strawberry plants ; yet from an 
experience extending over many years in both buying and 
selling plants, I conclude that fall planting is far more un- 
certain than spring. 

PREPARATION OF PLANTS. 

When plants are taken up in spring there will be more 
or less dead leaves upon them ; these should all be re- 
moved, leaving only those that appear fresh and green. 
Some roots will be broken, and the sound ones, if long, 
cannot readily be placed in the ground again without be- 
ing crowded or otherwise- thrown out of their natural 
position. To avoid any difficulty on this point, I always 
shorten them to at least one half their length. 

Figure 19 shows the position of the roots on a medium 
or small plant before removal. A, being the runner con- 
necting it with the parent plant ; B, a new runner on 
which other plants would have been formed, provided the 
reason had been favorable for their growth; C, D, tho 
cross line showing where the roots should be cut after the 
plant is taken up. This shortening causes them to throw 
out a new set of fibrous roots from the cut ends. 

It also causes roots to be emitted moie abundantly from 
near the crown than would have been the case if the roots 
3* 



58 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



had not been shortened. Figure 20 shows the same plant 
as it will appear after having been planted a few weeks. 
It is not necessary to trim each plant separately, but a 
handful may be pi-uned at one cut of the knife. Plants 
thus pruned are more readily planted, and the roots are 




Fig. 19. — WHERE TO PRUNE ROOTS. ' 

easily spread out at the time, which is quite important, 
because each root can produce rootlets without being en- 
tangled with others. 

In transplantmg in the autumn it is unnecessary to 
shorten the roots, unless they are so long that they cannot 
be conveniently planted entire. The roots of the Straw- 
berry continue to grow from the extreme ends until cold 
weather, and when moved in fall or summejr the roots 



STRAWBERRY. 



59 



should be taken up entire, and carefully spread out when 
again placed in the soil. If the plants have been out of 
the groi-ind long enough to cause the roots to have 
changed color and become dark and wilted, then they 
should be treated the same as those i-emoved in spring. 




Fig. 20. — GROWTH OF PRUNED ROOTS. 

All of the largest leaves should be cut off from plants 
when removed, leaving hnt two or three of the center 
leaves, as a plant is far more likely to live if only this 
number is allowed to remain on it than if none are re- 
moved. 

We are now supposing that the plants are taken up 
without any soil adhering to the roots. If each plant is 



60 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

moved with a ball of earth, then there will be no necessity 
for reducing the number of leaves, because the connection 
between the root and soil will not be broken, or, at least, 
not entirely separated ; consequently they can continue 
to absorb moisture and nutrhnent for the support of all 
he leaves. 

Sometimes it may be advisable to " puddle " the roots, 
aS it is called, before planting. This operation is per- 
formed by mixing water with soil until it is of the consis- 
tency of thin mortar ; then dip the roots into it, coating 
them with the mixture, which excludes the air and pre- 
vents wilting so long as it remains moist. A tenacious 
clay makes the best puddle, but it will sometimes ndhere 
so closely to the roots as to become injurious. It is well 
to puddle, before packing, the roots of plants that are to 
be transported a long distance, and consequently be a long 
time on the journey. But the puddling should Be washed 
off and the roots trimmed before planting again. 

Roots that have been entirely excluded from the air for 
any considerable time are likely to become soured, and it 
is best to clean and refresh them with pure water before 
again placing them in the ground. 

PLANTING AND CULTIVATION. 

There is no one operation of more importance to the 
future success of a Strawberry bed than careful planting. 
Some cultivators plant with a dibble, making a small hole 
in which the roots are thrust, all crowded together in a 
mass. Plants may live under such treatment, but certainly 
cannot thrive so well as though their roots were carefully 
spread out in a natural position. 

A common garden trowel should always be used, and a 
hole made in the soil large enough to admit the roots 
without crowding. Set the plants just so deep that 
all of the roots will be covered, and no deeper ; for if the 
fjrown is buried it is very liable to decay, particularly in a 



STRAAVHERRY. 61 

heavy soil. If a handful of very fine compost or manure 
is mixed with the soil around them at the time of plant* 
ing it will very materially assist in their future growth. 

It is always best to select a cloudy day for planting, if 
possible, but when only a few are to be set out they may 
be watered and shaded, and their growth insured without 
any regard to the weather. The distance between the 
plants will depend upon what kind of cultivation is to be 
given them. The oldest method of field culture in this 
country, and the one practiced upon thousands of acres 
in the Eastern States at the present time, is to plant in 
rows from two and a half to three feet apart, placing 
the plants about a foot distant in the rows. 

The beds are hoed during the early part of summer, or 
until the runners cover the ground, after which no atten- 
tion is paid to them until next spring. Then paths about 
a foot wide, and at a distance of four feet from each other, 
are made, thus forming beds with narrow paths, in which 
the pickers are expected to stand when gathering the fruit. 

Two or three crops are gathered from these beds before 
any change is made or cultivation is given, except that of 
hoeing or plowing out the paths each season before pick- 
ing time. 

When the beds have become so much crowded with 
weeds and plants that the fruit is likely to entirely fail, a 
plow is run througli the center of each bed, forming a 
new path, the runners being allowed to take root and fill 
up the old ones. Another crop or two is taken, and then 
the paths are again changed. Sometimes the beds are 
burned over in the fall after the weeds have died down 
and become dry ; or a heavy liarrow is drawn over them 
soon after the crop is gathered, tearing up the weeds and 
a greater part of the plants ; while at the same time it 
breaks up the soil so that the few remaining plants will 
grow with more vigor, and there will be room for the new 



62 SMALL FRUIT CULTITEIST. 

runners to take root. In this manner the same beds arc 
cropped for ten or fifteen years. 

It is not the fancy improved varieties that are treated 
in this mannei", but the older kinds, which are but a slight 
improvement upon the cominon wild berry. The forego- 
ing method of cultivation is certainly not to be recom- 
mended, but I have mentioned it because there are proba- 
bly as many acres of Strawberries grown and treated in 
tliis manner as are grown under any other system. Our 
eastern cities, particularly New York, Philadelphia and 
Baltimore, have been supplied almost entirely, until with- 
in a very few years past, from these half cultivated fields. 
We must conclude that such a method of cultivation is 
profitable ; if not, it would have been abandoned long 
ago, although it is apparent that those who follow this 
system are not afflicted with the spirit of progress. 

BIENNIAL SYSTEM. 

Another method which hns of late years become very 
popular is that of planting in beds, say two or three rows 
in each, placing the plants about eighteen inches apart 
each way, and then leave paths of about two feet. The 
plants are hoed and all weeds destroyed as they appear. 
The runners are all allowed to grow, and the entire sur- 
face is covered with plants, except a path of about two 
feet in width between the beds. These beds are allowed to 
produce two crops, and then the plants are plowed under 
and some other crop grown on the land for one or two 
seasons, when it is again planted with Strawberries, if de- 
sirable. This is probably one of the very best systems in 
vogue. The first crop is sometimes the best, but usually 
the second is considered as the main one. 

It is much less trouble to plant a new bed than to clean 
the weeds out of an old one ; besides, a first rate crop can 



i 



STKAWBEERY. 63 

Dot be expected from a bed where the plants have be- 
3ome old and crowded. 

A few Strawberry growers renew their beds by plowing 
up all but a small strip of about a foot wide, leaving one 
of these every four feet. Then, by passing a cultivator or 
harrow between these rows, the ground is leveled so that 
the new runners can readily take root. 

ANNUAL SYSTEM. 

This is one of the neatest systems in use, as weeds have 
no chance for getting a foothold, unless the cultivator is 
very negligent. The plants are put out in rows two to 
three feet apait, and about a foot apart in the row. They 
are carefully cultivated the first season, a croj? taken the 
second, and then plowed under. To insure a full crop the 
soil must be made very rich, and the planting done in the 
fall or early spring, and in the most careful manner. 

PLANTING IN ROWS OR HILLS. 

There are but few varieties that succeed so well when 
restricted to hills for a number of years as when allowed 
to produce runners. The varieties of F. grandiflora are 
better adapted to this system than others, because they 
naturally produce large, compact plants. 

The usual method is to plant in rows three feet apart, 
with plants a foot apart in the row. All runners are cut 
off as soon as they appear, and the beds frequently hoed, 
or kept clean with a cultivator. In the fall the entire sur- 
face is covered with a mulching of leaves, straw or coarse 
bog grass. The plants are covered as well as the ground 
between them. In spring the covering should be removed 
from the crowns of the plants, but left on between them, 
for the purpose of keeping the fruit clean and the ground 
moist. After the fruit has been gathered, sufficient mulch- 
mg may be applied to keep down all weeds, or all of it 



64 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

may be removed, and a plow passed between the rows to 
break up the soil, which will have become quite compact 
from being frequently traveled over in gathering the 
fruit. 

New plants may be allowed to take root in the rows 
between the old stools, thus bringing them the second 
season into what is termed row culture. Some varieties 
will remain productive for several years under this treat- 
ment^ but usually three or four years will be as long as 
they can be relied upon for a remnneratiTe crop. I have 
practiced this system with many varieties, and believe 
that more fruit per acre can be produced (particularly with 
the foreign kinds) than by any olher system. One strong 
stool, with plenty of room for its roots, and with the sur- 
face of the soil covered with mulching, will give more and 
larger fruit than twenty plants that are crowded, and 
upon an unprotected soil. 

For general field culture, and with most of our native 
varieties, the biennial or annual system would probably 
be less troublesome and equally as profitable. 

When pistillate varieties are grown they should be kept 
in separate beds, and every alternate one should be a per- 
fect flowering variety, and one that blooms at the same 
time with the pistillate. This bed need not be more than 
half the width of the others. 

GARDEN CULTURE. 

The same systems recommended for field culture are 
equally applicable to the garden, but usually greater care 
will be given to a small bed than to a large one. 

"Water may be applied so that the plants shall nevef 
suffer for the wnnt of it. Liquid manure should be ap- 
plied, if very large fruit is desired, in addition to mak- 
ing the soil rich. 

DiiFerent varieties may also be planted ; for it is not the 
most profitable market fruit that is always of the best 



STRAWBERRY. 65 

quality. In flict, a very liard, firm berry, such as we 
would select for market purposes, is seldom so highly fla- 
vored as those which are more delicate. 

By giving an abundance of water, with liquid manure, 
a second crop is often produced upon many of our com- 
mon varieties. To insure a late crop, the first one must 
not be allowed to mature, but the flowers should be re- 
moved so soon as they appear in spring. 

Then keep ofl" all new runners, and give plenty of water, 
and a fine crop in August or September is almost certain. 

The Boston Pine I have found to be one of the best 
varieties for producing a late crop when treated in this 
manner. 

The monthly Alpines are excellent varieties for garden 
culture, although they do not produce very large fruit. 
Give them ])lenty of moisture and a rich soil, and thert 
will be but few days from May to Avinter in which a dish 
of Strawberries may not be gathered from a bed of mod- 
erate size. 

The Bush Alpines are less troublesome than those that 
produce runners. 

This class of Strawberries vary but little when grown 
from seed, except that the fruit produced on tlie seedlings 
will be considerably larger for the first two or three crops 
than ever afterwards. 

This peculiarity of the Alpines is well known in Europe, 
and the growers of these kinds ahvays renew their beds 
with seedlings, and never depend upon the runners of old 
ones for making new beds or plantations. It is no uncom- 
mon thing to find berries an inch in diameter on young 
seedling plants of Alpines, while on old beds they will 
scarcely average more than one-half of this size. 

The seeds may be saved and sown in the same manner 
as recommended for other kinds. 

The amateur who only cultivates a few Strawberry 
plants in his garden will appreciate the fruit he grows in 



66 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

his own grounds far above any market value ; therefore 
the cost of production is of very little importance, pro- 
vided the results are satisfactory. 

It is not to be expected that a man in moderate cir- 
cumstances will continue to grow fruit which costs more 
than it is worth ; still there is a pleasure in producing ex- 
tra fine fruit, even if there is no great profit in the opera- 
tion. Besides, I am not quite sure that extra care and 
cultivation will not, as a rule, prove to be as profitable as 
that which is generally called good culture. 

I have made several experiments for the purpose of 
thoroughly testing extra cultivation, most of which have 
been quite satisfactory. 

A few years since I prepared a sixteenth of an acre by 
trenching it two feet deep, applying twelve large two 
horse loads of pure, well-rotted cow manure, thoroughly 
incorporating it with the soil to the depth of one foot. 

I then planted this bed with the Triomphe de Gand 
Strawberry, placing the plants about two feet apart each 
way. A few runners were allowed to take root between the 
plants in the rows, but I removed all others. The ground 
was hoed often, and in winter the plants were protected 
with a coat of salt hay two inches in depth. The whole 
expense of preparing the bed-planting, hoeing and mulch- 
ing up to the time of picking the first crop was fifty dol- 
lars. The bed yielded a little over four hundred quarts, 
which, at the low price of twenty-five cents per quart*, 
would have given a fair profit. The next crrp was fully 
equal to the first, and the expense incurred to produce it 
but very little in comparison to the first. This bed con 
tinned in bearing for five years, and even then the land 
was in good condition for any other crop. There are prob- 
ably many soils that are naturally as i-ich as this bed was 
after being prepared, but in this instance it was impera- 
tively necessary to enrich the ground to get even a mod- 
erate crop. 



STRAWBERRY. 67 

An abundance of moisture is one of the requisites for 
producing large fruit, and the amateur should not fail to 
see that his plants receive it, pnrticulavly at the time when 
the fruit is ripening. Mulching the beds is a sure method 
of keeping the soil moist, besides it prevents the fruit 
from getting splashed during violent showers. Tiie short 
mowings of grass from a lawn make an excellent mulch, 
besides it looks very neat — much more so than straw or 
leaves. 

In EurojDC a tile is sometimes used for the j)urpose of 
keeping the fruit clean, as well as for covering the soil 
and keeping it moist. 

These tiles are about an inch and a half thick, and 
twelve inches square, and in two l||||||||||||||||||||||||||i||||||||^ 
parts, as shown in figure 21. The IH 

hole in the center is about four inches ||!'' r!;,:;, , 'jll 
in diameter. The plants are placed |fe^;^^^^^^^^^^^'| f 

a foot apart in the rows, and be- 111111 

fore the fruit begins to ripen the 
tile is placed about them. Ililillliililliiiii 

If the rows are only a foot apart, j,^^ 21.-strawbekrt 
then the whole surface will be tile. 

covered, the soil will be kept moist, and the fruit 
clean. If Avater is required during the time of ripening, 
it can be applied directly to the plant by passing to the soil 
through the hole in the tile. These tiles could probably 
be obtained at any pottery or brickyard if ordered a few 
months in advance of the time they were wanted for use. 
It would be necessary to remove the tile after the fruiting 
season was over, and the soil should be worked over 
among the plants; if not it would become heavy and 
soured from being excluded from the air. 

A newly patented article, answering a similar purpose, 
has just made its appearance in this country. It is called 
II. A. Fuller & Co.'s Patent Strawberry Vase, and is 
manufactured by the above-named firm at Norwich, Conn. 




68 SMALL PRurr culturist. 

Figure 22 shows the form of the vase, with a plant grow- 
ing within it. Not having tested this vase, I cannot re- 
commend it from experience ; yet 
it appears to be a good thing for 
the ])urpose designed. 

The manuficturers claim that 
it protects the fruit from dirt and 
the vines from weeds, and that, 
by using it, double the amount of 
fruit will be produced on a given 
space than when the vines are 

1.- . T • .1 T .1 T Fiir. 23. — STRAWBERRY VASE. 

cultivated m the ordmary method. '^ 

The runners are kej^t trimmed close to the edge of the 
vase, thereby concentrating the strength of the plant, and 
larger and better fruit will necessarily be the result. 

The flower stems will also grow much longer by being 
inclosed in the neck of the vase, while at the same time 
they will be supported by it, and the fruit will rest or hang 
over its upper part. The peculiar form of this vase AviU 
not only insure the reception by the plant of a greater 
part of the water that fills in tlie form of rain, but will 
make a direct application more convenient when applied 
artificially. When this vase is to be used the plants should 
be set one foot apart each way, leaving a path every four 
rows. The vases will touch each other, and shade the 
giound, with the exception of the paths, which may be 
covered with a mulch of saw-dust, tan or other material. 

The present price, I am informed, for small quantities 
is twelve dollars ])er hundred ; consequently they will 
scarcely be used by those who grow Strawberries for 
profit, unless the yield of fruit is increased in proportion 
to the outlay. 

Nevertheless, all these peculiar contrivances are of in- 
terest to the amateur, besides, it was by improved methods 
of cultivation and extra care that our largest and best 
varieties were first produced. 



STRAWBEREY. 69 

Those old and long celebrated English varieties, Keen's 
Seedling and British Queen, were not produced from seeds 
gathered from neglected plants, but from tliose which 
had been stimulated by extra culture. And if we expect 
to keep on improving we must stimulate our plants into a 
vigorous growth — not only the ones from which we gather 
the seeds, but the seedlings themselves. 

To produce large and extra fine specimens, only a few 
berries should be allowed to mature upon the plant 
When there are several fruit stems, select three or four of 
the strongest, and destroy the others; also remove all ex- 
cept two or three berries from each. 

Large Strawberries are quite the fiishion at the present 
time, and the amateur cultivator generally takes the lead, 
merely because he applies the requisite means for produc- 
ing the results. 

A few years since an amateur Strawberry grower 
brought some monstrous fiiiit to an exhibition held in 
one of our eastern cities, and they were so much largei 
than anything that had heretofore been shown, that he 
was offered and accepted a very large price for the entire 
stock of this variety. 

The purchaser sent his gardener for them soon after, 
and when he took up the plants he found the beds so filled 
with offal from a slaughter-house that the operation of 
removing the plants was anything but a pleasant one. 
Here were cause and effect but little separated. This is 
but one instance among the many that might be given to 
show that great results in fruit growing of any kind are 
only derived by direct effort on the part of the producer. 

Old plants seldom produce as large berries as young 
ones, and a fresh stock should always be provided, either 
by allowing a few plants in the fruiting beds to throw out 
runners, or by setting a few in separate beds every year 
<br that particular purpose. 

Plants that have been highly stimulated will seldom 



70 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

last more than two or three years, and they will frequently 
fail after producing ono large crop. The safest plan is 
not to expect more than two crops, and to make the beds 
upon fresh soil, where no Strawberries have been sjrown 
for at least two seasons. 

FORCING STRAWBERRIES. 

The term forcing is generally used to indicate that a 
fruit is made to ripen at other than its season. In Europe 
the forcing of Strawberries has been extensively practiced 
for a long time, but in thij country very little attention 
has been paid to this system of cultivation until within the 
past few years. 

There are few plants that will grow more readily, or 
produce more fruit in proportion to the expense incurred, 
than the Strawberry when grown under glass. 

When only a few plants are to be forced, and the object 
is merely to obtain fruit a few weeks in advance of tlie 
usual time, then a common hot bed may be used for the 
purpose. The plants, however, should be prepared the 
season previous, and stored where they can be had when 
wanted in early spring. 

An ordinary green-house, such as is used for tender exotic 
plants, will answer the purpose. But one which has a 
roof so low down that the plants will be within two or 
three feet of thg glass is better than one that is consider- 
ably higher; besides, it will take much less fire to heat a 
low house than a high one. 

The soil in which the plants are to be grown should be 
exceedingly rich. A compost made of three-fourths old 
Bods or turfy loam, and one-fourth barn-yard manure, will 
be found excellent for this purpose, and if there is consid- 
erable cow manure among the latter so much the better. 

Mix these materials together, and let them become 
thoroughly decomposed before using. The moi e frequently 



STtlAWBERET. 71 

the compost is turned over, the less time it will require 
for its decomposition. 

Leaf mold from the woods or friable muck, with a little 
addition of pure sand, will answer in the place of sods. 

PREPARATION OF PLANTS. 

"WTien the first runners appear upon plants in the open 
ground, fill as many three inch pots with the comjDOst as 
you desire, and set them near the old ])lants from which 
you wish to take those for forcing, placing the top of the 
pot just level with the surface of the soil. When the 
young plants on the runners begin to show roots, place 
one on the soil in each pot, and lay a stone or a little soil 
on the runner to keep it in its place. 

The end of the runner should be pinched off just beyond 
the plant, so that it will receive all the nutriment furnished 
by the parent. When the young plant has become rooted 
in the pot, it should be taken up and the runner cut off 
close to the plant ; then set the pots away in an open and 
airy place for a few weeks, being careful not to let them 
suffer for the want of water. Set them on flat stones, 
bricks or boards, so that no worms can have access to the 
pots through the hole in the bottom. 

When the plants have remained in the pots a few weeks, 
they should be shifted into larger ones. Some prefer to 
place them in five-inch pots, and afterwards shift into six 
or eight-inch pots, in which they are to be fruited, while 
others make but one shift from the small pots. It will 
make but little difference, as either plan will work well if 
carefully done. The ball of earth containing the roots 
should not be broken when re-potting, but preserved 
whole. A few pieces of broken pots or brick should be 
placed in the bottom of these large pots for drainage. 

There are a few gardeners who assume that drainage is 
ot no importance, but from my own experience of several 



72 SMALL FRUIT CULTFRIST. 

years with a great variety of plants, I cannot indorse this 
new theory of no drainage, particularly when the plants 
grown in pots naturally succeed best in a soil that is 
deep and moderately dry. With the small pots, drainage 
is of little importance, but with those of larger size all 
surplus moisture should be allowed to pass through, leav- 
ing only what will usually be retained by the soil. 

The plants, after they have been placed in the large 
pots, may be set close together, or plunged up to the rim of 
the pot in the open ground until wanted, care being given 
to keep them growing vigorously until within a few weeks 
of the time they are to be })laced in the forcing-house. 
Water should be gradually withheld, so that the plants 
may ripen. It is not advisable to withhold water en- 
tirely, but give only enough to keep the plants from 
actually suffering for the want of it, and allow them a 
short period of rest before starting them again into 
growth. If runners should appear tliey must be pinched 
off. Those wanted for an early crop may be placed in the 
house the first of November, as it will be ten to four- 
teen weeks from the time the plants are placed in the 
forcing-house before the fruit will be ripe. 

If a succession of crops is desired, then only a portion 
of the plants should be placed in the house at one time. 

The pots may be set on shelves or plunged in soil — the 
latter method is preferable, as there is less danger of the 
plants being affected by careless watering or change of 
temperature. 

The plants should now be watered regularly, just enough 
to keep the soil moist, but not wet — the temperature of 
the house raised to 65 or 75 degrees in the day, and 50 to 
60 at night, slightly increasing as the flower stems appear. 

The plants should be frequently, say every alternate 
day, syringed or sprinkled overhead until they bloom, 
then omit it until the fruit is set, after which it may be 
continued, but not quite so often as before. While the 



STRAWBERRY. 73 

plants are ia bloom, as much air should be admitted as 
possible without lowering the temperature or allowing a 
direct current to strike upon the plants. In clear weather 
the plants will generally require water once a day, and 
sometimes twice. Care sliould be observed not to let the 
leaves wilt, but do not give so much water that the soil 
shall become sodden and heavy. 

A few applications of liquid manure may be beneficial, 
provided the compost used is not sufficiently rich. When 
the fruit is set and swelling, is a good time to apply it, but 
withhold it after the fruit begins to ripen. 

The reserved plants should be stored where they will 
not be frozen. A light, warm cellar or walled pit, 
covered with glass, will answer the purpose — a place 
where they will receive light, and not be frozen, 
yet so cool that they will not be excited into growth. 
Sometimes plants a year old are taken up in the fall and 
potted, and used for forcing, but those prepared as de- 
scribed are preferable. Forcing houses are sometimes so 
arranged that tlie plants are set directly in the ground 
without pots. A more vigorous growth of plant is se- 
cured by this metliod, but it is doubtful if the crop of 
fruit is increased. 

Plants that have been once used for forcing should be 
discarded and not used for the same purpose again. It 
may be advisable, in cases of scarcity, to plant them out 
in the open ground in spring, for they will occasionally 
produce a moderate crop late in the season. 

All the different operations may be varied to suit the 
circumstances of the case, as in open air culture ; and 
I have only endeavored to give a general plan, omit- 
ting minute details, which the grower will readily 
supply while the operation is in progress. At every step 
caution and a due amount of thought are requisite — such 
as preventing cold currents of air striking the plants 
4 



74 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



when in bloom, or chilling the roots by applying very 
cold water. 

Forcing Strawberries for market is not a common prac- 
tice, except near our larger cities ; but it will probably be- 
come more general in a few years than at present, partic- 
ularly if two to three dollars j^er quart can be obtained 
for the fruit, as has been done in New York for several 
years past. 

FORCING HOUSES. 

Few, if any, structures have been built in this country 
expressly for the j^urposc of forcing Strawberries. 

The common lean-to or span-roof houses are principally 
used for forcing all kinds of fruits, and perhaps they 




Fig. 23. — FORCING HOUSE. 

answer as well as any other. In Europe many different 
styles are in use, among which there is probably none 
more unique or better adapted to forcing the Strawberry 
than the one shown in the accompanying engraving, fig- 
ure 23. This is a lean-to house, but instead of the usual 
form of roof it is made up of a series of short frames, one 
above the other, like a flis^ht of stairs. These frames rest 



STRAWBERRY. 75 

apon cast iron brackets, fixed against the wall or upon 
standards erected for the purpose. Where the brackets 
are fastened directly upon the wall, access is had to the 
plants by lifting the frames from the front. But the one 
shown is wide enough to allow a passage behind the 
frames. The idea is a good one, which our own gardeners 
will not fail to take advantage of The plants in the 
frames are brought close to the glass, and there is no ex- 
tra or waste space, wliich requires just as much heat as 
that which is occupied by plants. This style of house 
is said to have originated with the firm of Weeks & Co., 
Chelsea, England. Three different plans of these Eng- 
lish houses were given in the Gardeners' Monthly, in 
June, 1865. They may be heated with hot water, steam, 
or any of the other modes usually employed. 

VARIETIES FOR FORCING. 

Comparatively few experiments have been made in this 
country in forcing Strawberries; it is, therefore, not 
known which are the best varieties for that purpose. 
None but those with bi-sexual flowers can be used advan- 
tageously, inasmuch as in the still atmosphere of a house 
the pistillate varieties would be imperfectly fertilized, even 
if abundant perfect flowering kinds were grown among 
them. 

Forced fruit is not generally as highly flavored as that 
which ripens in the open air ; consequently only that of 
the best quality should be used, provided flavor is an 
object. 

Trollope's Victoria is a fine show fruit, and produces 
well when forced, but it is usually insipid. 

Austin or Shaker, is equal if not superior to the last, 
but with the same defect, although not to such an extent. 
Its fine color and large size are very much in its favor 
and it usually commands a large price in market. 

The British Queen is the most popular variety in Eng- 



76 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

land for forcing, and it would probably be worthy of trial 
here, although it does not succeed very well in the open 
air. 

Among our native varieties we have probably no better 
variety for forcing, taking flavor and productiveness into 
consideration, than the Boston Pine. The monthly Al- 
pines do exceedingly well, and the fruit is usually con- 
siderably laiger than when grown in the open ground. 

THINNING THE FRUIT. 

It is sometimes necessary to take off a portion of the 
fruit from forced plants. This should be done as soon as 
it has set, thereby giving that which remains a better 
chance for full development. Numbers do not always in- 
dicate quantity, and, with ten to fifteen berries upon each 
plant, as many quarts will usually be obtained from 
a given space as with twice as many to each. 

Plants that are not over-cropped at first, may often be 
made to produce a second crop by giving stimulating 
manure soon after the first is gathered. 

One crop, however, is all that is usually expected with 
those which do not produce any more naturally. 

HYBRIDIZING AND CROSSING. 

The Strawberry may be hybridized or crossed as readily 
as other fruits, but this having already been done to such 
an extent between the F. Yirginiana and F. grafidiflora^ 
the results of special effort in the same direction will be 
very uncertain, especially if we use the varieties under 
cultivation for that purpose. 

These being in many instances a mixture of two species, 
it becomes a difiicult matter to determine whether the 
cause which produced certain results originated with us, 
or was the effect of some previous operation Avhich had 
just made itself apparent in the seedlings. 



1 



STRAWBERRY. 77 

111 Other words, hybridizing hybrids is only the mixing 
together of two compounds — the exact proportions of 
neither being known. 

The pistillate varieties are always fertilized by other 
kinds ; their seeds are impregnated by whatever kind 
produces the pollen ; consequently the plants grown from 
them are natural crosses between the two or more, as the 
case be. 

It is very doubtful if any dependence can be placed 
upon the results of artificial crossing between any of the 
varieties of the two species named ; still, it may be worthy 
of trial. All that is required is to fertilize the pistils of 
one variety with the pollen Irom another. 

For instance, if we select the Wilson's Albany for the 
parent from which we wish to procure seeds, when the 
flowers first open, we take a pair of small scissors and cut 
off the stamens, being careful to remove every one. It 
is best to do this early in the morning before the petals 
have fully expanded ; then set a bell-glass or a fine wire 
screen over the entire plant, so that insects, which go 
from flower to flower with pollen adhering to them, shall 
not fertilize the plant upon which we are operating and 
thereby defeat our object. In three or four hours after the 
stamens have been removed, the pistils will probably be 
sufliciently developed to receive the pollen, at which time 
cut a fully expanded flower fioni the variety that has been 
selected for the other parent, and apply its stamens to the 
pistils of the Wilson's Albany. The stamens may be cut 
off and allowed to drop on to the pistils or merely brushed 
over them. Three or four flowers are sufiicient, and all 
that it is safe to undertake to operate upon on a single 
plant; all others should be removed before they open. 

Each flower must have its stamens removed and its pis- 
tils fertilized in the same maimer; and as they will proba- 
bly not all open in one day, they must be attended to sue* 
cessively as they bloom. 



78 SMALL FRTJTT CULTURTST. 

Mark the plants, and keep the screen or bell-glass over 
them for two or three days. When the seeds are ripe, 
save and plant as I have already directed. 

There are a few Strawberry growers who place great 
reliance upon their particular efforts in crossing, and when- 
ever they produce a new variety it is always (if we believe 
their assertions) a cross or hybrid between some two re- 
markable varieties or species. But to show how exceed- 
ingly difficult it is to know positively whether a seedling 
is a cross between the two varieties upon which we have 
experimented, or the result of some previous one, let us 
suppose a case. 

For instance, we will take Hovey's Seedling and fertil- 
ize it with the Wilson, and from the seed of the former 
raise a variety that shall resemble the latter more than it 
does the Hovey — would this be positive proof that the 
seedling was the result of our especial effort ? Not at all, 
because similar varieties may be and are produced from 
the Hovey without artificially fertilizing its flowers from 
the Wilson or any similar variety. 

And further, the Wilson is probably a seedhng of the 
Hovey, and it possesses naturally the same inherent char- 
acteristics which only require an opportunity, which seed- 
lings afford, to show themselves. 

Direct efforts to improve are commendable, but the 
causes of results are not always what are supposed, and 
assertions are not to be implicitly relied upon. The in- 
fluence that one variety has upon another by fertilizing 
is generally supposed to affect the seeds only, but from 
many experiments which I have made, I am quite certain 
that it extends further. 

Every Strawberry grower is aware of the fact that 
whenever a portion of the pistils are not fertilized, the 
berries will be* proportionately deformed. If there are no 
f«eeds, then the receptacle, which we call the fruit, is abor- 
tive. But if we are to suppose that the influence of the 



STRAWBERRY. 79 

poflen extends no further than the seeds, why does not 
the fruit enlarge and come to maturity without seeds, as 
we see in other fruits, particularly those which produce 
their seeds within a fleshy receptacle, as the grape, ap- 
ple, &c. 

With corn, we can see tlie effects of cross-fertilization 
in the color of the grains the first season, also upon the 
receptacle (cob) ; thus, in this instance, showing con- 
clusively that the effect is apparent the first season upon 
the seed as well as beyond. 

It is quite probable that impregnation affects the whole 
plant, but not to an extent worthy of any particular at- 
tention. Still, from personal observations upon this point, 
I am well satisfied tl.at principles similar to those which 
govern the animal kingdom are potent in the vegetable. 
Because they are not so readily observed is no reason for 
disputing their effect. 

The most careful experimenter or observer is generally 
less positive in his assertions than the more careless, be- 
cause by thorough study he learns that although cause 
and effect are linked together, the connecting chain is of- 
ten not only hidden, but has so many ramifications that 
each cannot be traced with any degree of certainty. 

In giving names to new varieties errors are occasionally 
made — sometimes purposely, and with intent to deceive, 
but let us hope more often carelessly or through ignorance. 
Many of my leaders may remember the advent of 
Peabody's Hautbois Strawberry. 

The originator claimed that it was a cross between the 
Ross and Phoenix and the wild Strawberry of Alabama, 
neither of which belong to the Hautbois species ; conse- 
quently it was a deception to call the new seedling a 
Hautbois, although the originator had, according to cus- 
tom, a right to give it whatever name he pleased. 

Many other so-called Hautbois Strawberries have been 
as far from what their name implies as the Peabody, and 



80 SMALL FRUIT CtJLTUEIST. 

may have been applied through ignorance or design. It 
is very doubtful if there have ever been any true hybrids 
produced between the Hautbois, or the Alpine, and other 
species. Some fifty years ago, a Mr. Wilhams, of Pitmas- 
ton, in England, claimed to have produced a hybrid be- 
tween the Hautb:>is and Alpine, which gave fruit without 
seed, but nothing more was heard of it beyond the an- 
nouncement of its production. 

Whether hybrids between the Alpines and Hautbois, 
or these and other species, have ever been produced is un- 
certain; yet I think it possible and worthy of trial. 

WINTER PROTECTION. 

In many portions of the country a winter protection to 
Strawberry plants is very beneficial, if not positively ne- 
cessaiy. Some of our most successful growers in the 
Northern States never fail to protect their plants, and 
without doubt they are amply repaid for the expense in- 
curred. For my own part I never have had a full crop 
without giving protection, and never expect one. 

There can scarcely be a doubt that the great success of 
some cultivators, with particular kinds, is owing, in a 
great measure, if not entirely, to the winter protection of 
the plants. 

The embryo fruit buds are formed within the crown of 
the plant in autumn, and therefore it must be apparent 
that sudden transition from heat to severe cold will very 
.nuch weaken if not wholly destroy them. 

In sections of the country where the plants are covered 
with snow during the entire winter, other protection is not 
so important as where there is little snow, but continued 
freezing and thawing. It is not expected nor is it desira- 
ble to protect the plants so that they shall not be frozen, 
but merely to shade them, and prevent their being affect- 
ed by every little change in the weather. 

A covering of straw, hay, leaves, or any similar mate- 



STRAWBERRY. 81 

rial, to the depth of one or two inches will usually be 
sufficient. 

Every one ought to know, if he does not, that frozen 
plants thawed out in the shade are less injured by frost 
than when fully exposed to the light ; and this is another 
reason why Strawberry plants should be covered in win- 
ter, because, if the weather should be very changeable, 
they will be less liable to injury than when fully exposed 
to light. 

Protection is sometimes objected to, because it is said 
to retard the blooming of the plants, and the crop will be 
later in ripening. This may be true to a certain extent, 
but I have always thought that protected plants came for- 
ward more rapidly, when they did start, than the unpro- 
tected ones. The lost time may not be fully made up, 
but there will be but a very slight difference. 

In some sections of the country, retarding the time of 
blooming would be very advantageotis, as by this means 
the injury from late spring frosts would be avoided. The 
benefit of having late blooming kinds was quite apparent 
the past season, (1866), when a late frost was very de- 
structive through a great portion of the Northern and 
Middle States ; and the reports of the Strawberry crop 
furnished some amusing illustrations of the careless man- 
mer in which some cultivators arrive at conclusions. The 
early blooming varieties came in for all the censure, while 
the late bloomers, which escaped the frost, received all 
the praise ; and still, with this very potent fact before 
him, scarcely a fruit grower, in making up his report of 
success or f lilure, alluded to the time of the blooming of 
the variety cultivated. The varieties of F. grandiflora 
in particular, require winter protection to insure a full 
crop. The large, prominent crowns of these varieties are 
more liable to injury than the smaller and more compact 
ones of those of other species. When the plants are grown 

in beds, then a portion of the material used for protection 
4* 



82 SMALL FETJIT CDLTUEIST. 

should be removed in spring, leaving about half an inch in 
depth, allowing the plants to grow through it, thereby 
affording a mulching that will keep the fruit clean as well 
as shading the ground. 

Saw-dust and tan-bark are sometimes used for mulching, 
but there is usually so much fine dust among them that the 
fruit will become more or less splashed during heavy rains. 

Spent hops from a brewery is a most excellent material 
for mulching the Strawberry; besides, few insects will 
attack the plants or fruit where it is used. The young 
runners strike root very readily in spent hops, showing 
that it is an excellent fertilizer. Fallen pine leaves are 
found to be very good, as they keep the fruit clean, Avhile 
at the same time they will have decayed so much as to 
interfere but very little with the growth of the plants. 
Some have suggested that the pecuUar flavor of the 
Pine varieties is imparted to others by the use of this 
kind of nmlching, but this is probably more in imagina- 
tion than in reaUty. 

Salt meadow and bog hay are excellent for a mulch, as 
also js straw or corn stalks cut fine. 

When the plants are cultivated in rows, the mulching 
should only be removed from the crowns of the plants, 
and the entire amount allowed to remain on the ground 
between the rows. 

Another method of protecting the plants is to cover 
them with soil. This is done by passing the plow along 
each side of the row, turning the soil on the plants in 
the fall, and then removing it again in the spiing. This 
plan might answer in light soils, but then a mulching 
would be still needed in summer to keep the fruit clean. 
Tliis method has been practiced in a few j^laces, but with 
what success I am unable to state. 



STRAWBERRY. 



83 



DISEASES AND INSECTS. 



The Strawberry is peculiarly exempt from diseases, 
there being few which affect it to any considerable extent. 

Sometimes a sudden change of weather will cause the 
flowers to blight, and no fruit will be produced ; but this 
cannot be classed as a disease, but merely as an accidental 
cause of failure. In warm, wet weather, the fruit and 
leaf -stalks will be affected by mildew, and the leaves at- 
tacked by a kind of rust which is called in Europe Straw- 
berry Brand {Aregma oUusatuin). Mr. Cooke, in his 
late work on Microscopic Fungi, has given a description 
and highly magnified illustration of this species, which 
we quote, figure 24. The 
spores are produced in 
clusters on the upper side 
of the leaves, and appear 
to the naked eye like 
minute yellow spots, but 
under a magnifying lens 
they have the form shown 
in the illustration, figure 
24. As this fungus makes its appearance late in the 
season, it causes but very little injury. 

A kind of blight or rust is reported to have appeared 
on Strawberry plants in some of the Western States dur- 
ing the past few years, causing considerable loss to grow- 
ers of this fruit, but as I have had no opportunity of per- 
sonally examining the affected plantations, I am unable 
to express an opinion as to the cause or nature of the 
disease. In most cases of fungus diseases, dusting the 
plants with ashes or gypsum will be beneficial, even if 
it does not entirely destroy the fungi causing them. 

Insects are more injurious to the Strawberry than are 
diseases, and among the most destructive of these are the 
various species of the May Beetles {Lachnosterna), of 




Fiff. 24. — STKAWBERBT BRAJfD. 




84 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

which there are over sixty species ah'eady described as 
inhabiting the United States, and there are probably 
others not as yet discovered by our entomologists. There 
is no locality, from Washington Territory to Florida, in 
which one or more species of May Beetles do not abound, 
and the larvoe or gru])s of all are destructive to the roots 
of various plants, and especially those of the Strawberry. 
These grubs, when fully grown, are from an inch to an 
inch and a half long, of a whitish color, and with brown 

heads. They are commonly known 
as White Grubs, without regard to 
species. The most abundant in the 
Eastern States is Laclino sterna fusca 
of Frulich, a large brownish beetle, 
figure 25, which usually appears 
Fio-. 25.— MAT BEETLE, about tlic first of May, or a little 
later, hence the common name. 
There are also several other species, more or less abun- 
dant, and appearing at the same time, but as all are 
similar in habits, they may be considered as one. 

These grubs are usually more numerous in old dry 
pastures and meadows than elsewhere, because their prin- 
cipal food is the roots of different kinds of grass. The 
old sods afford protection against the birds and animals 
which devour them ; consequently they often become 
very abundant in such places. If these grass lands are 
plowed and planted with the Strawberry, the grubs will 
attack the roots, and, if numerous, will destroy every 
plant almost as soon as it is put in the ground. In some 
sections of the country the white grub has very materially 
checked the cultivation of the Strawberry. The only 
remedy with which I am acquainted is, to occupy the 
ground with some crop which requires considerable hoe- 
ing and cultivation, for two or three years before plant- 
ing with the Strawberry. 

The grub is three or four years in attaining its growth, 



STRAWBERRY. 85 

and by continually manipulating the soil they are ex- 
posed to the attacks of birds, and many are destroyed by 
crushing ; besides this, the Beetles will seldom deposit 
their eggs in freshly disturbed soil. As all the May 
Beetles are nocturnal in habit, many may be taken by 
using tubs of water with a floating light in the center. 
A few hundred taken every evening during the flrst few 
weeks of summer will do something toward dmiinishing 
the number of the succeeding generations in a neighbor- 
hood, but tlie birds and domestic fowls are the Straw- 
berry grower's most efficient helpers in the way of destroy- 
ing May Beetles and White Grubs. The grubs are greedi- 
ly devoured by birds ; the Crow being exceedingly fond of 
them. This much abused bird will always seek them on 
recently plowed ground, where, I regret to say, many a 
Crow has lost his life while devouring the White Grub ; 
he was benefiting the cultivator, who returned his kind- 
ness with a death-dealing bullet. From a pretty intimate 
acquaintance with the habits of the Crow, having kept 
several tame ones, I am well satisfied that they are far 
more beneficial than injurious to the farmer. A crow 
will eat a hundred white grubs in a day, after he he has 
had a breakfast of an equal number of rose bugs. I do 
not state this as an imaginary case, but as a simple fact 
that I have proved many times. From experience, I 
firmly believe that the Crow is one of the most useful 
birds that we possess, although he does a little mischief 
now and then in the way of pulling up corn. When 
domesticated he forgets those tricks of his wild nature, 
and, not being a timid bird, he is not frightened by hoe 
or spade, but when the earth is turned over he is gener- 
ally there to see and do his duty. 

At the time of writing this book, my strawberry beds 
and those of my neighbors had suffered more or less by a 
small green worm, at that time unknown to me or to any 
entomologist of my acquaintance. This insect was quite 



86 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



destructive to the leaves of the plants, frequently strip- 
pmg a plantation of its foliage in a few days. I have 
since ascertained that these worms are the larvae of the 
Emphytus maculatus of Norton, a small black fly, figure 
26. This worm has received the common name of 
*' Strawberry Worm," and appears to have become abun- 
dant throughout the Northern States, and really more 
destructive to strawberry plantations in the West than at 
the East. Prof. Riley figured and described this insect 
in vol. 1, page 90, of the American Entomologist. The 
worms are of a yellowish-green color, a little over a 
half inch long, and when feeding are usually curled up, 
with the extremity of the body hanging down, as shown 





Fig. 26.— FLY OF THE STRAWBERRY 
WORM — ENLARGED. 



Fig. 37, — STRAWBERRY 
WORM. 



in figure 27. The parent fly appears in our Northern 
States early in May, and, as I have said, is of a black 
color, with two rows of transverse whitish spots upon the 
abdomen. The female deposits her eggs m the leaf stalks, 
first puncturing them by means of a saw-like instrument 
with which she is provided, and thrusting her eggs into 
the wounds thus made. The eggs hatch m a few days, 
and the young grubs immediately attack the leaves. 
When fully grown they descend into the ground, roll 
themselves up in a slender cocoon, the pupa remaining 
within until the following spring. Dusting the leaves 
with lime, when wet with dew, or just after a shower, is 
the best method with which I am acquainted for destroy- 
ing the pest. 




STRAWBERRY. 87 

Another leaf enemy of tlic Strawberry is known as the 
'^ Strawberry Leaf -roller" {Anchylopera fr agarics, AValsb 
and Riley), of which figure 28, a, gives the larva of nat- 
ural size, and b, the moth, enlarged. This insect, like 
the last, appears to be more abundant at the West than 
eastward. Still I have frequently found it on the plants 
m my garden, and I presume it is not uncommon in 
strawberry jDlantations throughout the country, but only 
noticed when so abundant as to strip the plants of their 
leaves. In feeding, it folds up 
the leaves, drawing the edges to- 
gether with silken threads, and 
then eats out the more tender or 
pulpy parts. Prof. Riley j^^m^^, 
states that there are two a ■'■^ 

broods of this insect dur- "' ^^^^" ' ^' ^^^*'^- 

ing the year, the worms ^'^' 28.-strawbekry leaf-kollek. 

of the first brood passing through their transformation on 
the leaves, the moths appearing about the first of July. 
The female moths deposit their eggs on the leaves, where 
they soon hatch, and the worms commence their work ; 
but those of the second brood, when coming to maturity 
late in the fall, descend into the ground, change to pupae, 
and remain in this state until the following spring. 
Owing to the habit these worms have of rollmg them- 
selves up in the leaves, they are somewhat protected from 
destruction by any dry or liquid application that may be 
made to the plants for the purpose. Sweeping the leaves 
with a broom will disturb and destroy a few of the worms, 
but the most rapid method of destruction is burning off 
the leaves after the fruit is gathered, or passing a heavy 
roller over the plants m time to destroy the second or late 
brood in autumn. 

The Strawberry Crown Borer [Tyloderma fragarice, 
Riley), is another pest of the Strawberry, more or less 
abundant in the Western States and Canada, but I have 




88 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 

not as yet discovered it in my own grounds, or tliose of 
my neighbors. It is a small Snout-beetle, a veritable Cur- 
culio, about an eighth of an inch long and half as broad, 
and ornamented on the back as shown in 
figure 29, which is an enlarged portrait 
of this pest. The grubs of this beetle 
bore into the crowns of the plants, as 
its common name indicates, where they 
destroy the embryo fruit-stalks and 
leaves. The only remedy proposed is to 
Fi"-29 STRAWBER- plow up thc iufcstcd plantations soon 
BY CROWN BORER, aftcr gatlicriug the fruit in summer, 
wliile the grubs are still in the crowns of the plants. 
The Snail or Slug which is so abundant and destructive 
to the Strawberry and other garden products in Europe, 
has found its way to this country, and is now quite 
plentiful in some gardens near New York. These snails 
are great gourmands, and will destroy the fruit in quanti- 
ties if they become very plentiful. Hand picking, or 
destroying them with lime, is a pretty sure way of getting 
rid of this pest. 

The Plant Louse (Aphis), or Green Fly, as it is usually 
called, sometimes becomes numerous upon the roots of 
the Strawberry, particularly when the soil is quite loose 
and open, so as to admit them readily to the roots, upon 
which they congregate in immense numbers, sucking the 
juices of the plant, and thereby effectually checking its 
growth. A liberal application of dry ashes or refuse from 
a tobacco factory will usually destroy them. The Aphis 
also attacks the plants grown under glass, but they are 
more readily destroyed than the Red Spider ( Tetranychus 
telariits), which insect is often very injurious. 

The best preventive of the ravages of the Eed Spider 
is a moist atmosphere, but when this cannot be allowed, 
flowers of sulphur should be freely scattered among the 
plants or upon the soil near them. The fumes of melted 



STRAWBERET. 89 

sulphur will make quick work with them, but it requires 
great care in it!§ application, for should the sulphur take 
fire and burn, the fumes will destroy the plants also. 

Birds are, in some portions of the country, very de- 
structive to the Strawberry, but I forbear to suggest a 
remedy, because there are already too many effectual 
ones in use. 

VARIETIES. 

In the following catalogue I have endeavored to give 
the names, with a concise description, of all the varieties 
now in cultivation, which are worthy of it. 

To give a full description of all known varieties would 
require a volume by itself, and it is very doubtful if, 
when such a list was made, any one would take tlie trou- 
ble to peruse it. It is such an easy matter to raise new 
varieties, that a few men seem to have gone into the 
business, not for the purpose of improvement, but mainly 
to see how many varieties they could produce, and so they 
name each new seedling, and give it a glowing description, 
whether it is worthy of cultivation or not. 

Now, while I would not suppress any information that 
would benefit the public, I do not feel called upon to rec- 
ommend or give the names of all varieties that have 
appeared in the catalogues of some few of our Strawberry 
growers, especially of those who appear to always have 
ready, if we were to believe them, some wonderful variety 
for every annual edition of their catalogues. 

Our enterprising fruit growers are supposed to know and 
procure the best varieties, and when one has been before 
the public for from five to ten years, and then it is not 
found in general cultivation, it may be safe to conclude 
that the fruit grower lacks confidence in the originator, 
and consequently does not pui'chase it, or that it has 
been tried and discarded. The reader, if he^ has followed 
me through the preceding pages, will have noticed that 



90 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



I recognize among cultivated varieties but two sexes, 
viz. : Perfect or Bi-sexual, and the Pistillate varieties. 
The latter kinds are marked pistillate ; all not so desig- 
nated are perfect, and will bear fruit without the aid of 
others to fertilize them. 

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES. 



The following are varieties of Fragaria grandiflora and 
F, Virgi?iiana. Some of them show more of the pecu- 
liar characteristics of one species than of the other, while 
with a few it would be difficult to tell to which they were 
related, and it is very probable that they are a mixture 
of both. They were all produced in this country, and 
are called native varieties : 

Agriculturist, — Very large, irregular, conical, with long 

neck, large specimens often flat- 
tened or coxcomb shaped ; color 
light reddish crimson ; flesh deep 
red, moderately firm, sweet, rich 
and good ; plant a very strong 
grower ; leaves large, thick, dark 
green, with reddish petiole ; hardy 
and productive, and succeeds re- 
markably well on light sandy soils, 
as well as on those that are heavy. 
A valuable variety. Figure 30 
shows a fruit of medium size in 
ordinary field culture. Originated 
with Seth Boyden, Newark, N, J. 
-Superseded by better sorts. Origi- 
nated among the Shakers at Watervliet, N. Y. 

Albion White. — See Lennig's White. 

Belle. — A new variety, which originated with J. B. 
Moore. 1 have not seen it, and only know of it by re- 




Fig. 30.— AGRICULTURIST. 

Austin or Shaker.- 



STRAWBERRY. 91 

ports of Massachusetts Horticultural Society, wliere it is 
referred ,to as '^ very large," or as '"'the largest Strawberry 
ever exhibited on the Society's tables." 

Bid well. — Very large, conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh 
firm ; quality excellent. A vigorous grower and plants 
are reported to be very productive. A new variety not 
fully tested. 

Black Defiance. — Large, irregular in shape ; dark 
glossy crimson ; flesh moderately firm ; high-flavored. 
Only moderately productive. The color is objectionable, 
as the berries, soon after gathering, assume a dull, stale 
ai)pearance. Originated with E. W. Durand. 

Boston Pine (Barthtt.) — Medium t(5 large, obtuse- 
conical ; color light crimson ; flesh but slightly colored, 
firm, sweet, most excellent ; fruit stalks very long ; plant 
vigorous and productive ; a fine market variety ; ripens 
early ; succeeds in both liglit and heavy soils, and is very 
hardy. Originated with C. M. Hovey, Boston, Mass. 

Brighton Pine. — Medium to large, roundish-conical, 
with short neck ; color light crimson ; flesh rather soft, 
sweet and juicy ; plant strong, vigorous and moderately 
productive ; early. Originated with Mr. T. Scott, of 
Brighton, Mass. 

Burr's New Pine. — Once a very celebrated variety, but 
is now seldom seen in cultivation. Originated with Mr. " 
Burr, Columbus, Ohio. 

Bufialo. — See McAvoy's Superior. 

Brooklyn Scarlet. — Medium to large, regular, conical, 
with neck ; color bright scarlet ; flesh rather soft, sweet 
and rich ; quality best ; plant a dwarf grower, producing 
very large stools, hard}^, vigorous and ^^roductive ; one of 
the best for home use. Originated with A. S. Fuller, 
in 1859, from seed of Peabody Seedling. One of the 
three "New York Tribune" prize varieties. 



92 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

Baltimore Scarlet. — See Scotch Eimner. 

Captain Jack. — Medium or small, regular, short coni- 
cal ; hright scarlet ; flesh pink, firm ; poor in quality. 
A vigorous and productive variety, more highly prized at 
the West than at the East. Originated with Samuel 
Miller, Bluilton, Mo. 

Caroline. — Large, conical ; bright scarlet ; quality good ; 
plants rather feeble, and only moderately productive. 
Not fully tested. Originated with J. B. Moore, Concord, 
Mass. 

Centennial Favorite. — One of Mr. Durand's seedlings, 
of large size, irregular shape, but scarcely possessing 
sufficient merit to entitle it to a jirominent position 
among better and more prolific sorts. 

Champion. (Windsor Chief.) — Large, round; bright 
crimson ; flesh rather soft ; inferior in quality, but tlie 
plants are so vigorous and productive that this is con- 
sidered a very profitable market variety ; pistillate. 
Originated with Dr. J. C. Net!, Carlisle, Pa. 

Charles Downinii^, — Medium to large, round, obtuse- 
conical ; very regular in form ; bright scarlet, becoming 
darker when fully ripe ; flesh moderately firm, pink, 
juicy, with a rich, sprightly sub-acid flavor. One of the 
very best varieties in cultivation. The plants are vigor- 
ous, wonderfully productive, and succeed admirably on 
light soils, and bear profusely even in thick matted beds. 
Originated with the late J. S. Downer, of Fairview, Ky., 
and named in honor of the Veteran Pomologist of New- 
burgh, N. Y. 

Cinderella. — Large, conical ; bright scarlet, glossy ; 
moderately firm ; of second-rate flavor. Plants only 
moderately productive. A handsome and attractive va- 
riety. Originated with Oscar Felton, of ]S"ew Jersey, 
who has also raised several other sorts. 



STRAWS ERET. 



93 



Col. Cheney. — Small, long-conical ; bright scarlet ; 
flesh soft, watery, poor flavor ; plants vigorous and pro- 
ductive. A poor thing at best, although it has been 
highly praised by certain dealers who were anxious to sell 
plants. Pistillate. 

Col. Ellsworth. — Superseded by better sorts. Dis- 
carded, because unproductive. 

Continental. — A large, dark crimson berry; said to be 
of good flavor and the plants very productive. I give 
this only on hearsay evidence, not having seen the j^lants 
growing. 

Crescent Seedlin.?. (Figure 31.) — Medium to large, 
somewhat irregular conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh rather 
soft for a market berry, but 
will do for short distances, 
or when carefully handled ; 
quality fair, not rich ; the 
plants, however, are of such 
a vigorous growth and so 
productive that this variety 
has become quite a favorite 
among cultivators for market. 
Originated with Mr. William 
Parmelee, New Haven, Conn. 
This is quite a different berry 
from the old and long since 
discarded ** Crescent Seedling," which originated at the 
South. 

Crimson Cone. (Pine Apple, Scotch Ru7mer, etc.) — 
Medium, regular, conical, with long neck ; seeds deeply 
imbedded ; color light, bright crimson ; flesh firm, 
sprightly acid, with a rich flavor, and highly perfumed. 
Figure 32 shows a fruit of the usual size. One of the 
best Strawberries in cultivation, although too small and 
acid to suit some people. This is one of the old market 




Fig. 31. — CKESCENT. 




94 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

kinds, and there are probably more acres of it in cultiva- 
tion for furnishing the New York market, than of all 
others put together. The flowers are perfect, and not 
pistillate, as has often been asserted. 
There is, however, another variety which 
is generally found mixed with it, and 
also called Scotch Eunner, which has 
pistillate flowers. The latter variety is 
the true Scotch Eunner, for which see 
description. 

Crystal City, — A new Western variety ; 

handsome bright scarlet, but very indif- 

Fig. 32— CRIMSON ferent in quality. I have no informa- 

coNE. ^{on in regard to its origin or value, 

except some brief notices which have appeared in western 

papers, and in a few catalogues. Said to be very early. 

Cumberland Triumph. — Large, smooth, and uniform in 

shape ; light bright scarlet ; flesh pale pink, soft, but of 
good flavor. A very handsome, vigorous grower ; the 
leaves deep glossy green, quite distinct. Eequires a strong 
fertile soil. A valuable variety for amateurs, or for home 
use, but too soft for market. Originated with Mr. Amos 
Miller, Carlisle, Pa. 

Damask Beauty. — The only reference to this variety 
we have seen is by E. P. Eoe, who says it is ^^a very 
distinct variety and interesting to amateurs, but of no 
great value." But just why ifc is ^* interesting" we are 
not informed. 

Downer's Prolific. — Medium to large, globular, light 
scarlet ; seeds deeply imbedded ; flesh rather soft, acid, 
not rich, but highly perfumed ; very early, hardy, and 
wonderfully prolific. An excellent old market variety, 
provided the market is near by. Originated with J. S. 
Downer, Fairview, Kentucky. 

Duchess. — Large, roundish, uniform ; bright scarlet ; 



STRAWBERRY. 



95 



flesh pink, moderately firm, good flavor, but not best ; 
ripens early ; plants vigorous, and very hardy and pro- 
ductive. This variety has an excellent reputation among 
those who raise fruit for market. Originated with D. H. 
Barnes, Poughkeei^sie, JST. Y. 

Duncan. — Medium, slightly conical, although often 
quite variable in form and size ; bright scarlet; firm, ex- 
cellent flavor. A productive and valuable market berry. 
Originated with J. G. Lucas, Ulster Co., ]^. Y. 

Durand's Seedling. — Large, oblong, or oblong-conical, 
sometimes flattened ; seeds but slightly sunken ; color 
scarlet; flesh firm, solid, nearly white, of good flavor. 




Fiff. 33. — DUBAND. 




Fi^. 34. — ^DURAND. 



Originated with Mr. F. W. Durand, near Irvington, N". J. 
Figures 33 and 34 give a fair representation of two of the 
berries, showing its variableness in form. 

Early Scarlet. — Medium, conical; light scarlet ; flesh 
firm, moderately acid. An. old variety, but little culti- 
vated at the present time. 

Fillmore.— Large, obtuse-conical; dark crimson; sweet. 



96 



SMALL ERUIT CULTURIST. 




moderately rich and good. In deep, rich soils this va- 
riety j^roduces a fair crop, but it is not generally popular 
among fruit growers. Pistillate. Originated with Samuel 
Feast, Baltimore, Md. 

Forest Rose. — Large, irregular, obtnse-conical ; bright 

scarlet ; flesh firm, of good 
flavor ; a superior market berry, 
but unfortunately it does not 
appear to be well adapted to all 
kinds of soils and locations. 
Where it succeeds it will rank 
high for market purposes as 
well as for home use. An ac- 
cidental seedling, introduced 
by a Mr. Fetters, of Lancaster, 
Ohio. Figure 35 gives a good 
idea of the size of this va- 
riety. From ^'American Agri- 
culturist," 1878. 
General McClellan.— See McAvoy's Superior. 
Glendale. — Large, oblong-conic ; bright scarlet ; flesh 
firm, with a brisk sub-acid flavor ; a 
vigorous grower and a very produc- 
tive, new variety, promising well 
for market. Introduced by Mr. W. 
B. Storer, who found it growing in 
the cemetery at Akron, Ohio. 

Golden Defiance. — Large, obtuse- 
conical ; briglit scarlet ; flesh mod- 
erately firm and of excellent flavor ; 
ripens quite late ; plants very vigor- 
ous, hardy, and productive. Prom- 
ises to be a valuable acquisition to 
our list of good sorts. Pistillate. Originated with Mr. 
Amos Miller, of Pennsylvania. (Figure 36. ) 



Fig. 35. — ^FOREST ROSE. 




Fig. 36. — GOLDEN 
DEFIANCE. 



STRAWBEREY. 



97 




Fig.37.— GOLDEN SEEDED. 



Golden Seeded. — Medium to large, bluntly-conical, 
sometimes flattened ; dark crimson, with prominent yel- 
low seeds ; sweet and rich ; early, but succeeds only in a 

few localities and soils. It is prob- 
ably a seedling of a foreign variety. 
Originated in Canada with Mr. Read. 
Figure 37 shows the form and size 
of a medium sized specimen. 

Great American. — Extra large, 
irregularly oval ; dark crimson ; 
flesh moderately firm, second-rate in 
flavor, but under high culture and 
in the originator's grounds it has 
yielded some of the largest berries 
ever seen in this country. Although 
this variety caused considerable ex- 
citement among strawberry growers when first exhibited, 
it was soon discovered that it required extra culture to 
produce extra sized berries. It has fallen far short of 
what was expected of it when it was first introduced. 
Originated Avith Mr. F. W. Durand. 

Green Prolific. {Newarh Prolific) — Very large, 
round ; pale crimson or deep 
scarlet ; seeds slightly sunken ; 
rather soft, very acid, without 
richness, and of inferior flavor ; 
fruit stalks long and stout ; 
leaves very large and thick ; 
one of the Iowa class ; vigorous 
and productive. Originated 
with Seth Boyden, Newark, N. 
J. Figure 38 shoAvs a berry Fig. 38.-gkeen prolific. 
of the average size under good culture. 

Hervey Davis. — Large, obtuse-conical ; briglit scarlet ; 
flesh moderately firm, nearly white, flavor good ; season 
5 




98 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

medium; plants tall, vigorous, and productive. Origi- 
nated with J. B. Moore, Concord, Mass. 

Hooker. — Large, short, obtuse-conical, nearly globular; 
dark crimson ; very sweet and rich ; too soft and dark 
colored for market, but a fine variety for the amateur. 
The plants are a little tender, and should always be pro- 
tected in winter to insure a good crop. Originated with 
H. E. Hooker, Rochester, N. Y. 

Hovey. [Germantoicn, Yoiing^s Seedling.) — Large, 
conical ; bright crimson, handsome ; sub-acid, sprightly, 
good. An old and much esteemed variety, and largely 
cultivated for supplying the Boston market. Pistillate. 
Originated with 0. M. Hovey, of Boston, Mass., in 1834. 

Huddleston's Favorite. — This variety has been dis- 
seminated by E. Y. Teas, Dunreith, Ind. , who describes 
it as a very large berry ; bright crimson ; firm flesh, with 
a rich, spicy flavor. Said to be a vigorous grower and 
wonderfully prolific. Pistillate. 

Kentucky. — This is another of Mr. Downer's produc- 
tions, and, like all those disseminated by him, of consider- 
able value. Large, conical ; bright scarlet ; flesh white, 
moderately firm, excellent flavor ; ripens late, and con- 
tinues in fruit a long time ; plants grow rather tall, but 
are vigorous, hardy, and prolific. A valuable variety, 
which has been fully tested over a wide extent of coun- 
try. Succeeds well on light as well as heavy soils. 

Ladies' Pine. — Small to medium, round ; pale orange- 
scarlet, with a slight crimson tint in the sun ; seeds rather 
prominent ; flesh soft, sweet and rich, highly perfumed, 
probably the most delicious flavored variety known. Re- 
quires extra culture, and even then it is not very produc- 
tive ; nevertheless it is well worthy of a place in the most 
select collection. Pistillate. Originated in Canada, with 
Mr. Read. 

Lady Finger. — Medium, elongated, conical ; color bril- 



STRAWBERRY. 



99 



liant dark scarlet ; seeds set in a deep open cavity ; flesh 
very firm, sub-acid, good ; plant hardy, vigorous and 
prolific. An excellent market variety. Originated with 
the late Benjamin Prosser, Burlington, New Jersey. 





Fig. 39.— LADY FINGER. 



Fig. 40.— LADY FINGER. 



Figure 39 shows a berry of this variety of medium size, 
and figure 40 one of the largest. 

Lady of the Lake. — Medium, conical, with neck ; 
crimson ; flesh light colored, firm, not very juicy, but 
moderately good ; plant tall and vigorous, productive. 
Formerly quite a favorite in Boston market. Originated 
in Brighton, Mass. 

Laurel Leaf. — A new variety, of which little is yet 
known. Described as of medium size, slightly conical, 
with short neck ; light scarlet ; in flavor good, but not 
superior ; plant only moderately vigorous and produc- 
tive. Originated with Mr. A. N. Jones, Le Eoy, N. Y. 

Longfellow. — Very large, elongated-conical, somewhat 
irregular ; dark glossy red ; . flesh firm, sweet and rich ; 
plant vigorous, with large, healthy foliage, and with- 
standing the hot sun admirably. Productive and con- 
tinuing a long time in bearing. Originated with Mr. H. 
D. Webb, Bowling Green, Ky. 



100 SMALL FRUIT CULTUfllST. 

Lennig's White. {Albion White, White Pine Apple.) 
— Large, obtuse-conical ; seeds prominent, and of a pink 
or light crimson color ; fruit almost white, but with a 
delicate blush when exposed to the sun ; flesh pure white, 
melting, rich and sweet ; plant a vigorous grower, and 
moderately productive. This is evidently a seedling of 
Fragaria grandifiora, but one of the most hardy and 
productive, and, without doubt, the best white variety 
knoAvn in this country. It has been disseminated under 
several names, either through mistake or design. I re- 
ceived it under the three different names, and the lots 
being cultivated in separate beds, I, like many others, 
thought that they were distinct, until beds were pre- 
pared in a similar soil, and the same cultivation given to 
each, after which no difference could be discovered. I 
have since learned through Mr. Meehan, editor of the 
*' Gardener's Monthly," that the supposed three varieties 
were all taken from the garden of the originator, Mr. 
Lennig, of Germantown, Pa. 

Longworth's Prolific. — Large, roundish, oval or oblate; 
light crimson ; sprightly sub-acid, and good ; plant vigor- 
ous and productive. An old variety but little cultivated, 
although it is far superior to many new ones. Originated 
in the garden of the late Nicholas Longworth, of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. 

McAvoy'S Superior. — Large, irregular, roundish, the 
surface being uneven, with prominent projections ; 
color varying from light to very dark crimson ; the 
flesh dark red, soft, sweet, variable, in some soils rich 
and sprightly, in others insipid ; vigorous, and usually 
yery productive. Pistillate. The originator of this 
variety was awarded a $100 prize by the Cincinnati Horti- 
cultural Society, about thirty years ago, but it has now 
become obsolete, and was long since discarded. I retain 
in the list on account of its history. 



STRAWBERRY. 101 

Marvin. — Large, elongated, somewhat beyond what is 
usually termed conical ; bright crimson ; flesh firm, but 
juicy, rich, and high-flavored ; plant vigorous, stocky, 
and productive. A very promising new variety. Origi- 
nated with Mr. Henry Marvin, Ovid, Mich. 

Miner's Great Prolific. — Large to very large; some- 
what irregular, but inclining to a globular form ; deep 
crimson ; flesh pinkish, firm, and of good flavor ; plant 
vigorous, leaves large, light green, quite glossy. A pro- 
ductive and valuable variety, although the irregular form 
of the berries is somewhat against it for marketing. 
Originated with the late T. B. Miner, Linden, N. J. 

Monarch of the West. — Extra large ; globular, but 
often coxcombed ; pale red ; flesh soft, excellent flavor ; 
plant vigorous on good soils, but only moderately pro- 
ductive. Valuable for its large size and good flavor. 
Originated with Mr. Jesse Brady, of Piano, 111. 

JVicanor. — Medium to small ; conical ; scarlet ; flesh 
witli a reddish tinge throughout, firm, juicy, and of ex- 
cellent flavor ; ripens early ; the plants in my grounds 
have always been weak and unproductive. Still, I have 
seen them in rather heavy clay soils quite vigorous and 
carrying a heavy crop of fruit. Originated with Messrs. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Eochester, N. Y. 

New Dominion. — A new variety unknown to me, but 
described by the disseminators of the plants as very large ; 
globular ;. bright glossy red ; flesh firm, and of good 
flavor. Originated with Mr. 0. N. Biggar, on the battle- 
field of Lundy's Lane. 

Neunan's Prolific. — Large under high cultivation, but 
ordinarily only medium or small ; obtuse-conical ; light 
scarlet, with a short neck ; very firm, rather acid, but 
good when fully mature ; plants strong, vigorous, and pro- 
ductive. A very popular variety in the South, where it 
is extensively cultivated for shipping to northern mark- 



102 



SMALL PKUIT CULTUEIST. 




ets, where it may be seen among the first Strawberries of 
the season. Originated by a Mr. JSTeunan, of Charleston, 
S. 0. 

New Jersey Scarlet. — Medium ; conical ; light bright 
scarlet, with long neck ; moderately 
firm, sprightly flavor, and good ; very 
early and productive ; the plant a 
s trong and vigorous grower. Succeeds 
admirably on the light sandy soils of 
New Jersey. An excellent market 
variety. See figure 41 for size and 
form. Originated near Burlington, 
New Jersey. 

Old John Brown. — Very large; 
broadly conic, pointed ; light crim- 
son ; sweet, sprightly, and good. 
Originated with Dr. H. Schroeder, 
Bloomington, Illinois. 

Orient. — ^Very large, and claimed to be the largest 
variety in cultivation ; roundish -conical, sometimes a 
little irregular ; bright scarlet, with glossy surface ; flesh 
white, moderately firm, quality ex- 
cellent ; plant vigorous and pro- 
ductive, the fruit continuing of 
good size to the end of the season. 
A seedling of the Monarch of the 
West, raised by Mr. Oscar Felton, 
in 1876, and is one of several new 
varieties shown by him at the Cen- 
tennial Exhibition. 

Perry's Seedling. — Medium to 
large, globular, with a slight neck ; 
color bright crimson ; sweet, rich, ^^' 4'-'-— perky. 

and sprightly. Raised by Geo. Perry & Sons, George- 
town, Conn. See figure 42. 



Fit;-. 41. — NEW JERSEY 
SCARLET. 




STRAWBERRY. 



103 



Pioneer. — Medium ; oval, with a long neck ; bright 
scarlet ; sweet, and highly perfumed. Very early, and 
appears to be gaining friends as it becomes better known. 
One of Mr. Durand's seedlings, which has not as yet been 
widely disseminated, although it has been for some time 
under cultivation. 

President Wilder. — Medium ; obtusely-conical, very 
regular ; seeds yellow ; skin bright glossy scarlet ; flesh 
firm, but juicy, and very high flavored. A very hand- 
some variety, but with me the foliage burns in summer, 
and for this reason, perhaps, the plants have never proved 
to be sufiiciently prolific to warrant cultivation. In 
heavy or cool soils this would no doubt prove to be a 
valuable addition to even the most select list of Straw- 
berries. Originated with the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, 
Dorchester, Mass., in 1861. 

Russell's Prolific. — Very large; irregular, roundish- 
conical, with neck; 
deep crimson ; mod- 
erately firm, sweet, 
and perfumed; qual- 
ity good, in sandy 
soils very good ; the 
flesh is lighter color- 
ed than the skin ; 
leaves large, with 
wavy upper surface; 
lobes broadly ovate. 
Pistillate. Origi- 
nated with H. Rus- 
sell, of Seneca Falls, 
New York, in 1856. 

Satin Gloss. — Me- 
dium to large ; 
rather long-conical ; calyx very large ; bright glossy ver- 
milion ; flesh firm, of good flavor. The large calyx and 




Fiff. 43.— SATIN GLOSS. 




104 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

firm flesli of this yariety make it an excellent fruit for 
shipping, as it is not likely to become bruised during 
transit. Originated with Mr. Oscar Felton, from seed 
of the Lady Finger. Figure 43 — from "American Agri- 
culturist," 1880. 

Scotch Runner* — Small ; oval ; bright scarlet ; good 
flavor. Largely cultivated for market in New Jersey, but 
should have been discarded long ago, and 
its place filled by larger and better varie- 
ties. Pistillate. Figure 44 shows one 
of the berries of full size. 

Scott's Seedling. {Scarlet Runner.) — 
Medium ; elongated-conical ; bright light 
scarlet, very handsome ; sweet, rather dry, 
not high flavored, but good ; plants moder- 
ately vigorous and productive. An old 
FifT, 44TISCOTCH variety, but little cultivated at present ; 
KUNNER. yg^ JI3 jg Qj^Q Qf \^Q most beautiful berries 

"we possess. Eequires good culture, and with it will 
yield an abundant crop. Originated about twenty years 
ago with J. Scott, of Brighton, Mass. 

Seth Boyden. {Boyde?i's Ab. 30.) — Very large ; irregu- 
lar-conical, with long neck ; dull crimson ; flesh firm, 
rather dry, but sweet and of good flavor ; plant extra 
strong and vigorous, and quite prolific when grown in 
hills, but otherwise unproductive. This is one of the best 
market varieties in cultivation, and under good care and 
in rich soils, berries of immense size are readily produced. 
Originated with the late Seth Boyden, of Newark, N. J., 
and disseminated by him as No. 30 of his seedlings, but 
since his death, by common consent, it has been given 
the name of the originator. 

Shcarpless* — This is another mammoth variety, and a 
genuine surprise to Strawberry growers generally, because 
it has proved to be all that was claimed for it at the time 



STRAWBERRY. 105 

of dissemination. Uniformly very large ; often broadly 
wedge-form, wider at the base than at calyx ; light glossy 
red ; flesh firm, but juicy, rich, and highly perfumed ; 
plants vigorous and productive. One of the best. I re- 
ceived some of the first plants sent out by the originator 
of this fine variety, and they succeed admirably, never 
failing to produce a good cro}). Originated Avitli J. K. 
Sharpless, near Philadelphia, Pa., in 1872. 
White Pine Apple. — See Lennig's White. 

Wilson's Albany. — Large ; irregular-conical ; dark 
crimson ; flesh firm, very acid, but good, and bears trans- 
portation v/ell. One of the most productive varieties 
known. The plants will usually fail after producing one 
full crop, and the beds should be frequently renewed. 
This variety has probably done more towards advancing 
Strawberry culture in this country than any other variety 
that has appeared since the Hovey. Originated with 
John Wilson, Albany, New York. 

MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES. 

Within the past few years new varieties of the Straw- 
berry have been raised in such immense numbers that it 
would be impossible for any one man, or half dozen men, 
to test them all and learn their merits, or faults. But I 
may safely assert that not one in a hundred of these new 
kinds is an improvement upon the older and well known 
sorts. It is quite natural that the raiser of a new variety 
should look upon it with favor, and somewhat magnify 
its merits, for there are few Strawberries that do not 
possess some good qualities. It is an old saying that 
**some Strawberries are better than others, but all are 
good, and none actually bad." The success of a few 
originators of new varieties, and the ease with which 
seedlings can be produced, have prompted hundreds of 
amateur and professional cultivators to try their luck in 



106 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

this direction ; as a result, there are hundreds of varieties 
named and offered for sale which are not worthy of any 
consideration. In addition to these worthless new sorts, 
old and well known varieties of merit will often appear 
in a garden, which the owner has no knowledge of ever 
having purchased or planted. Their presence may be 
readily accounted for upon the supposition that they 
have been introduced with other sorts, or a few plants 
have come, attached to the roots of some tree or shrub 
received from a nursery or neighbor's garden. The extra 
care and attention naturally bestowed upon these waifs 
when found growing in some out-of-the-way place, has a 
tendency to strengthen the finder's belief that they 
are really new, because the care given them usually 
produces good if not great results. The Eomeyn Seed- 
ling is one of these waifs, which I pronounced Triomphe 
de Gand the first time the fruit and plants were shown 
in New York, and although I was roundly abused for 
my presumption, the Romeyn has at last found its proper 
place as a synonym of the old and well known Triomphe 
de Gand. The so called Maximillian, or Mexican Ever- 
bearing, is another variety which caused a good deal of 
excitement among Strawberry growers a few years ago, 
and although the story told of its discovery in Mexico and 
introduction into the United States, was enough to raise 
doubts in the minds of thinking men, still there were 
not wanting several, who had been generally acknowledged 
as authorities in such matters, to indorse and describe 
this variety as new and worthy of the highest praise and 
most extended cultivation. Two years after, this variety 
passed into the hands of practical cultivators, and it was 
generally admitted to be nothing else than the old 
Monthly Red Alpine of Europe, a variety which has been 
in cultivation nearly or quite one hundred years, and 
known by at least a score of different names. 

Nearly all the Yarieties mentioned in my " Additional 



STRAWBERRY. 10? 

List" in the first edition of this work have become obso- 
lete, showing that they received all the attention they 
merited at that time. I now make up another similar 
list, containing, besides new and not fnlly tested varieties, 
some old ones still retained in cultivation for personal 
reasons, or because they possess some peculiar merit, or 
characteristics, not common to other and more widely 
cultivated sorts. 

Austin or Shaker.— Old, but still retained in a few 
collections. 

Cetywayo. — A pistillate variety from Ulster Co., N. Y. 
Promising for market. 

Champion of Richmond. — From Cumberland Co., Pa. 
Has only a local reputation. 

Chorlton's Prolific— Productive, but too small, and 
poor in flavor. 

Col, Ellsworth. — Of large size, but second-rate in 
quality. 

Crimson Favorite.— Of extra fine flavor, but unpro- 
ductive. 

Cutter's Seedling. — Small, and of poor flavor. 

Diadem. — Soft, acid, and unproductive. 

Durand's Beauty. — New, promising. 

Early Adela. — Early, but too small. 

Eclipse* {Prince.) — Probably obsolete at the present 
time. 

Emily. {Huntsman^ s.) — Eaised some fifteen years ago, 
but I doubt if it was ever disseminated beyond the orig- 
inator's gardens in Flushing, L. I. 

Endicott. — New and untried. 

Finch's Prolific. — From Ohio. 

French's Seedling,- Old, but still retained in a few 
collections. 



108 SMALL FRUIT CULTUllIST. 

Frai^aria lucida. — An old California variety, admired 
for its beautiful foliage. 

Georgia Mammotht — Small, but the plants are vigorous 
and prolific. 

CcOldcii Queen. — Has proved to be Trollope's Victoria, 
a foreign variety. 

Hart's Minnesota. — Highly endorsed by Truman M. 
Smith, President of the Minnesota Horticultural Society. 
Pruit large, but second-rate in quality. 

Ida. (CockUn.) — Has been superseded by better sorts. 

Iowa. — Once famous, but probably not now in cultiva- 
tion. 

Kerr's Prolific, — Has a local reputatiou, but is not in 
general cultivation. 

Kramer's Seedling. — Originated at Dubuque, Iowa, in 
1863, and a few years later sent out at eight dollars j^er 
hundred ; but it is now almost if not quite extinct. 

Kirkwood. — New, but its value is not yet determined. 

Le Baron. — Once considered valuable, but has been 
superseded. 

Mammoth Bush. — A pistillate variety, with only a local 
reputation. 

Meade's Seedling. — A handsome, good-flavored berry, 
but too small. 

Metcalf 's Early. — Once a popular variety in Michigan, 
now very generally discarded. 

Monitor. — One of the "Tribune" prize varieties; 
obsolete. 

Mount Vernon* — Supposed to be identical with Kirk- 
wood. 

Panic. — New ; promises to be a valuable variety. 



STRAWBERRY. 109 

Philadelphia. — Old, but is still retained in a few col- 
lections. Pistillate. 

Piper's Seedlins^. — I have no information in regard to 
this variety further than that it is named in a few 
nurserymen's lists. 

Reed's Kansas lUammoth.— New and little known. 

Russell's Advance. — A good berry but a feeble plant. 

Sucker State. — New and promising. 

Walden. — New and untested. 

Warren. — New ; originated with Mr. 11. L. Webb, 
Bowling Green, Ky. 

Wilding.— New ; originated with Mr. A. N. Jones, 
Troy, N. Y. 

Wleland. — New and untested. 

FOREIGN VA.RIETIES. 

During the past dozen years there has been a very 
marked change in the opinion of our Strawberry culti- 
vators regarding the value of foreign varieties. Novel- 
ties in European catalogues are no longer sought so 
eagerly as formerly ; in fact, the importation of Straw- 
berry plants is now confined almost wholly to amateurs, 
and I am inclined to think that but few of these gentle- 
men indulge in the once common practice of sending 
orders out to Europe for the latest novelties mentioned 
in the catalogues of English and Continental growers of 
this fruit. It is not because new varieties are not pro- 
duced as abundantly as ever, but simply because our 
horticulturists have learned from experience that few 
European sorts will succeed in this country, and that, at 
best, they are inferior on the whole to our new improved 
native varieties. The old Triomphe de Gand and Jucnnda 
still hold a place in the catalogues and grounds of both 
amateurs and professional cultivators, but beyond these, 
it is seldom that foreign varieties are exhibited at our fairs 



110 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



or seen in market, with the exception of forced fruit. Of 
hite the forcing of Strawberries under glass, in order to 
have the fruit ripen during winter, has become a business 
of considerable importance in the suburbs of nearly all 
our larger cities, and for this purpose some of the foreign 
sorts are said to be preferable to the native, owing in part 
to their mild flavor, when raised under these artificial 
conditions. For the above reasons, I have thought best 
to retain the foreign list very much as it was in the first 
edition of this work. Many new varieties might be added, 
but little is known of them, and their merits would have 
to be taken on trust, while those here named have been 
pretty thoroughly tested by myself and other cultivators 
in this country. 

Ambrosia. (JVichoIson.) — Large, roundish, dark red, 
sweet and Y-Stry good, moderately vigorous and productive. 

Admiral Dundas. ( Myatt.) — Very large, irregular, of- 
ten flattened, pale scarlet, very juicy, and brisk flavored. 

Baron Beman de Liunick. {MaJcoy.) — Very large, 
oblate or flat- 
tened cone, light 
scarlet ; seeds 
j)romiuent; flesh 
pink, solid, sweet 
and perfumed. 

Boule d'Or. 

( Boisselot. ) ' — 
Very large, 
roundish, flat- 
tened, figure 45 ; 
color a bright, 
glossy, orange Fig-. 45.— boule d'or. 

scarlet ; seeds prominent ; flesh white, sweet and good ; 
plant robust and moderately productive. 

Bonte de Stt Julien. {Carre.) — Medium to large, coni- 




STKAWBERRY. Ill 

cal, dark crimson, sweet and good ; plant quite vigorous 
and very productive. 

Bijou* {Z>e J'o7i(/he.) — Fruit large, regular, bright, 
glossy red ; flesli very solid, sweet and crisp ; plant a 
very dwarf grower, and with me very unproductive. 

Bicolor* (De Jonghe^ — Medium, conical, light crim- 
son, sweet and good. A j^oor grower. 

Belle de Vibert, ( Yihert,) — ^Large, conical, light crim- 
son, sweet, but not rich ; flesh firm. A handsome berry ; 
succeeds poorly, except in a very few localities. 

Belle Artesienne. {Bemay.) — Very large, conical, dark 
crimson, poor quality, and usually unproductive. 

Carnolia Magna. {De Jonghe.) — ^Large, oval, bright, 
glossy Vermillion; seeds projecting; flesh solid, pink, 
often hollow at the core, juicy and sweet ; productive. 

Deptford Pine. (Myatt.) — Lai-ge, pale orange scarlet, 
almost white in the shade, very sweet ; the plant a vigor- 
ous grower, but unproductive. 

Duke de Malakoff*. {Gloede.) — ^Yery large, irregular, 
dark, dull red, poor flavor, and unproductive. 

Eliza. (Myatts.) — See rejected list. 

Emma. (De Jonghe.) — Large, obtuse-conical, bright 
scarlet, sweet and good ; plant hardy and moderately 
productive. A new variety that promises well. 

Elton Improved. — Raised at the royal garden at Frog* 
more, England. Large, conical, bright, glossy crimson; 
seeds prominent ; flesh solid, sweet, and good. 

Empress Eugenie. {Knevett.) — Very large, irregular, 
flattened, dull crimson, poor flavor, unproductive. 

Frogmore Late Pine. {Ingram.) — Yery large, conical, 
sometimes flattened, brilliant crimson, firm flesh, and of 
good quality. A magnificent berry, but the plant burns 
badly in summer, and is unproductive. 
5* 



112 



SMALL FEFIT CULTUEIST. 



Goliath. {Kittley^s.) — An old variety placed in the re- 
jected list by the American Pomological Society in 1858, 
but still praised by a few growers. It is worthless. 

Gwentver. {Mrs. Clements.) — Medium, roundish or 
flattened, bright scarlet ; flesh pink, juicy and sweet ; 
vigorous, moderately j)roductive and early. 

IlaquiUi {Haquin.) — Fruit large, flattened cone, bright 
red ; seeds prominent ; flesh solid, white, juicy and sweet ; 
plant hardy, requires very high culture and a moist soil 
to insure even a moderate crop. 

Hero. {De Jo7ighe.) — Large, of a regular, globular 
shape, bright red; flesh carmine, very sweet; early. 

llillman. — Medium to large, oval, bright scarlet. ISTew ; 
from Germany ; not fully tested. 

Jucunda. {Salter) — Large, conical, bright light crim- 
son or dark scarlet, excellent flavor ; a good grower, but 

rather tender ; moderately 
productive. Figure 46. This 
variety has lately been reviv- 
ed under the name of Knox's 
700, and it is said to be 
very prolific in Mr. Ivnox's 
grounds at Pittsburgh, Pa. 
I have cultivated it for six 
or seven years, but it has 
never proved to be any more 
l^roductive than the mass of 
foreign kinds which I have 
tried. If it shoiild prove 
valuable at the West, it will only be another instance 
among the many where the success of a variety is only 
local. 

Kate. {Mrs. Clements.) — Medium, conical, bright 
glossy red, solid, juicy, sweet, but sprightly ; very early. 




Y'WX,. 46.— JUCUNDA, 



STRAWBERRY. 113 

Kimbcrley Pine. {Kimherley.) — Large, irregular, oval 
or flattened, bright crimson ; seeds very prominent ; flesh 
very solid, red, juicy and brisk; productive, and late in 
ripening. 

La Constante* {De Jo7ighe.) — ^Large, regular, conical, 
bright crimson, fine flavor ; flesh firm ; ripens late. One 
of the most beautiful Strawberries known. The plant is 
a dwarf grower, and requires a moist, rich soil, and even 
under the highest culture it is not very productive. 

La Sultannet {De Jonghe.) — ^Large, conical, bright 
deep scarlet, of excellent flavor, but the plant a poor 
grower, and unproductive. 

Llicida Perfccta. {Gloede.) — Snid to be a cross be- 
tween the British Queen and the Fragaria lucida of Cal- 
ifornia. Large, round, bright salmon color ; flesh solid, 
Bweet and rich. It is worthless with me, but it is said to 
do well in some localities. 

Lorenz Booth* (De Jonghe.) — Large, oval, bright 
glossy red ; flesh dark crimson, solid, sweet, but sprightly ; 
hardy. 

Leon de Saint Laumer. {Dupuy Jamin.) — Large, 
conical, bright pale scarlet; flesh carmine, rich, juicy and 
sweet ; moderately prolific. 

LucaSt {l)e tfonghe.) — Large, roundish, oval, glossy 
crimson ; flesh hard, firm and crisp ; good flavoi*, and a 
very good grower. 

Marguerite* (Le Breton.) — ^Very large, long, conical, 
pale scailet, sweet, but rather insipid. With extra culti 
vation it is quite productive, but the plant is naturally 
feeble. A very fine show fruit. 

Napoleon III* — Fruit large, of a brilliant crimson ; 
flesh firm, juicy ; plant vigorous. The Austin has been 
gent out from several establishments in this country under 
this name. 



.714 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Oscar. {Bradley.) — Large, slightly conical, dark crim- 
son, sweet, rich and good. A very handsome variety, re- 
quiring extra culture. 

Prince's Frederick William. {Mvln.) — ^Large, round- 
ish, often flattened, light crimson, 
sweet, of fair quality, early, moderate- 
ly productive ; plant quite tender. 

Souvenir de Kieff. {Be Jonghe.) — 
Very lai'ge, flat cone ; seeds very pro- 
minent ; bright glossy crimson ; flesh 
solid, pale red, juicy and good. 

Sabreur. {Mrs. Clements.) — Medi- 
um, conical (see fig. 47) ; color bright 
orange scarlet ; seeds very prominent ; 
flesh solid, white, sweet, and of high 
flavor ; productive. Fi,^. 47.— sabreur. 

Topsy. {De Jonghe.) — Medium, elongated, conical, 
(see figure 48,) bright light scarlet, sweet, sprightly and 
good; plant moderately vigorous and productive. 






Fig. 48.— TOPSY. Fi^. 49.— triomphe de gand. 

Triomphe dc Gand. — Yeiy large, irregular, conical, 



STRAWBERRY. 



115 



but often flattened, as in figure 49, bright crimson ; flesh 
firm, crisp, not rich, rather mild flavor. This variety has 
probably been more extensively cultivated and given bet- 
ter satisfaction than any other foreign variety ever intro- 
duced. Among the hundreds I have tried, this has pleased 
me most, because with good culture it has never failed to 
give a large crop. 

Vicomptesse Hericart de Theiiry. {Jamin and Du- 
rand. ) — Large, irregular, conical, sometimes flattened, 
dark scarlet or light crimson ; flesh firm, sweet, rich and 
excellent ; early and productive. This variety, like the 
Triomphe, has been cultivated and widely disseminated, 
and may be placed as second to none of the foreign kinds. 

Vine use de Nantes. (Boisselot.) — Medium to large, 
flattened, figure 50, bright glossy crimson; seeds very 
prominent ; flesh red, solid and sweet, with a peculiar vin- 
ous flavor. 





Fifr. 50. — VTRTEUSE DE NANTES. 



Fig. 51. — VICTORIA. 



Victoria. {Trollope's) — Figure 51. Very large, round- 
ish-conical, light pale scarlet ; seeds slightly imbedded, 
and set wide apart ; flesh nearly white, juicy, but not rich, 
often insipid. The productiveness of this variety is ex- 
tremely variable ; in some soils it is very prolific, while in 
others, apparently as rich, it is unproductive. It is an 



116 SMALL FRIJIT CULTURIST. 

old English variety, discarded by nearly every cultivator 
m the country, yet it has been frequently brought out un- 
der a new name. Trembly's Union proved to be this 
variety, and was so declared by several fruit growers 
when it was first exhibited. The Golden Queen of 
Kochester, N. Y., is also said to be the Victoria. 

I might add a hundred varieties more to this list, but it 
would be only increasing the number of names without ad- 
ding any merit, and it is very likely that before these 
pages are read by fiuit growers there will be another list 
of new kinds announced. 

ALPINE STRAWBERRIES. 

Alpine Red. {American Alpine, JBerancon, De Mon- 
treuil a Fruit Rouge, De Montreuil a Marteau, Fressant, 
Dent de Cheval, De Ville de Dois.) — Medium, conicalj 
seeds projecting ; light crimson or dark scarlet, mild sub- 
acid, not rich, but good ; plant very hardy, and moder- 
ately productive. 

Alpine Red, Monthly. {Autumnal Galande, Des Al- 
pes a Fruit Jiouge, Des Alpes de tous les Mois a Fruit 
Rouge, Des Alpes de deux Saisons a Fruit Rouge^ Des 
Alpes de quatre Saisons, Alpine Rouge, Scarlet Alpine^ 
Prolific Alpine, JPoitou Alpine Monthly, Versailles Al- 
pine Monthly, La Mendonaise, Glory de Nancy Alpine^ 
€&c., c5c.) — Similar to the common Red Alpine, but pro- 
duces a continuous crop throughout the entire summer. 
Requires high culture. 

Alpine White. {Alpine Blanc, De Montreuil a Fruit 
Blanc.) — Same as the first, except in color of fruit, which 
is white, and the leaves are of a lighter green. 

Alpine White, Monthly. {Alpme Blanc, Des Alpes a 
Fruit Blanc, Des Alpes de quatre Saisons, Sc.) — Same aa 
the common White Alpine, except that it bears a continu* 
Dus crop through the summer. 



STKAWBERKY. 117 

Bush Alpine, Red. (Wood Strawberry/, Buisson a 
Fruit Rouge, Commun sans Filets, Sans Coulans Or- 
dinaire, Sans Filets^ Ordinaire, De Gaillon a Fruit 
Rouge, <&c.) — Medium, roundish-ovate, sub-acid, rather 
dry, agreeable ; plant produces few or no runners ; propa- 
gated by dividing the plants. Suitable for edgings of 
walks, or cultivating in pots or in very small gardens. 

Bush Alpine, White. ( Wliite Wood Strawberry, Buis- 
Bons des Alpes Blanc, Buissons a Fruit Blanc, dbc.) — 
Same as the last, except in color of fruit. There are two 
other varieties, one with red and the other with white 
fruit, similar in every respect to the above, except they 
continue in bearing all the season. 

Green Alpine. (De Bargemont, Breslinge d^ Angle- 
terre, Caucasian, Green Pine Apple, Green Wood, Pow- 
dered Pine, Verte d^Angleterre^ Frasier Vert, Willlam^s 
Green Pine, Gilberts Large Brown, <!bc.) — This variety 
is by some supposed to be a distinct species, but the ap- 
pearance of the plant and fruit show it to be a true Al- 
pine. Fruit small, roundish, depressed, gi-eenish brown ; 
flesh green, with a somewhat musky flavor. Cultivated 
more as a curiosity than for its fruit. 

One Leaved Alpine. (Fragaria monophylla.) — ^Leaves 
simple, not divided ; fruit same as the last. Raised in 
France in 1761 by Duchesne. Figured and described in 
Curtis' Botanical Magazine, vol. 2, 1788, plate 63. Prob- 
ably not now in cultivation. 

HAUTBOIS STRAWBERRIES. 

Belle Bordelais. — Roundish-oval, dark brownish pur 
pie; flesh white, juicy, sweet, \\\i\\ a strong musky flavor. 
Said to produce a second crop in autumn, but has not 
with me, although I have given it good culture for the 
Dast six years. 

Common Hauthois. (Fragaria elatior, Biceciom ITaut- 



118 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

hois, Musky Hauibois^ c&c.) — ^Medium, roundish or ovate, 
reddish green, strong musky flavor; fruit steins project- 
ing above the leaves. Hence the name Hautboy or High- 
wood. 

There are several varieties, the difference between them 
being very slight. The most common are : 

Black Hautbois* — Medium, ovate, dark reddish brown. 

Globe Hautbois. — Koundish ovate, reddish green. 

Lon^ Fruited Muscatelle. — Oblong, rather small, late. 

Prolific Hautbois. {DouMe Bearing, Hermaphrodite^ 
Regejifs Dwarf, Sacomhe, Sir Joseph Banks, Caperon 
JRoyal, i&c.) — Conical; large for this class; flowers quite 
large. One of the best. 

Monstrous Hautbois. — New. Said to be very large for 
one of its class. There is a variety being disseminated 
under this name, which does not belong to the Hautbois 
species. 

The Hautbois varieties are very little cultivated in this 
country, as there are very few Americans who like their 
peculiar musky flavor. 



CHAPTER III. 



RASPBERRY. 



NATURAL FAMILY ROSACEA. 



[RuBUS.— The Latin name for the Raspberry and Blackberry derived from the 
Celtic rub, red ; French name, Frainboisier ; Gemian, Himbeeren Slrauch ; Dutch, 
Framboos ; Italian, Rova-ideo ; Spanish, Frambueso ; the old English name is 
Baspis or Hindberry.'] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Perennial herbs, or somewhat shrubby plants, with 
biennial, and, in a few species, perennial woody stems ; 
flowers, white or red ; petals, five deciduous ; stamens, 
many ; seeds collected on a spongy, succulent receptacle, 
becoming small drupes. In the Easpberry, that which is 
called the fruit, is a collective mass of drupes, which 
readily parts from the dry receptacle when ripe. 

SPECIES. 

Our native species are divided into three classes by Dr. 
Gray, as follows : 

Class 1. — Leaves simple; flowers large, prickles none; 
fruit and rcceptacle flat. 

Rubus odoratUS. — Purple Flowering Raspberry. — Stem 
shrubby, three to five feet high ; branches, stalks and ca- 
lyx bristly, with glandular, clammy hairs ; leaves three to 
five lobed ; the lobes pointed and minutely toothed, the 
middle one prolonged ; peduncles many flowered, purple 
rose-colored; fruit variable in size, from two or three 
119 



120 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

grains to nearly an inch in diameter, red, with a rather 
dry, musky flavor. Common, in most of the Northern 
States, in liigh rocky places. It is sometimes called 
Thimbleberry, Mulberry, etc. 

Rubus Nutkanus* — White Flowering Easpberry. — 
Leaves almost equally five-lobed, scarcely bristly ; petals 
oval, white, very much like the last, and probably only a 
variety of R. odorafus. Northern Michigan and west- 
ward, and northward to Alaska. The California Salmon- 
berry {R. velutinus, Hook.) is now regarded as only a 
variety of this. 

Rt Chamaemorus.- — Cloudberry. — Herbaceous, low; dioe- 
cious ; stem simple ; two to three-leaved ; one-flowered ; 
leaves roundish, kidney form, somewhat five-lobed ; petals 
white ; grains few, amber color. Native of Europe, par- 
ticularly in the more northern portions, also in the high 
mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, and in the 
Canadas. 

Class 2. — Leaves three-foliate, sometimes simple, but 
rarely five-foliate. Stems soft, voody, and somewhat 
prickly. 

R. spectabilis. — Showy Easpberry. — Stems robust, five 
to ten feet high, bearing a few straight, stout prickles ; 
leaflets ovate, accuminate double incised -serrate and often 
two or three-lobed ; veins beneath as well as petioles, 
sparingly villous-pubescent ; flowers mostly solitary, red, 
large, and showy ; fruit large ovoid, red, or yellow. Com- 
mon on the Pacific coast from California northward to 
Alaska. Var. Menziesii — Is more tomentose and silky, 
but otherwise resembles the species. 

Class 3. — Leaves compound, of three to five leaflets. 
Stems annual, herbaceous, not prickly ; fruit of a few 
separate grains. 

R, pedatus. — Bird's-foot Easpberry. — Stems slender, 



RASPBEKRY. 121 

pubescent ; lea\'es smooth or sliglitly villous ; leaflets 
cuneate-obovate, about an inch long, incisely toothed- 
Flowers often solitary, on long slender peduncles, white, 
succeeded by-fruit consisting of from three to six large 
red, pulpy drupelets. Pacific coast. 

R. triflorus. — Dwarf Raspberry. — Stems erect, six to 
twelve inches high or traiHng ; leaflets three ; rhombic- 
ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute at both ends, coarsely 
doubly serrate, thin, smooth ; peduncles one to three- 
fiowered. Woody hill-sides throughout the Northern 
States. Not in cultivation, and no imjiroved varieties 
known. 

Class 4. — Leaves as in Class 3. Stems biennial and 
woody, prickly ; receptacle oblong ; fruit hemispherical. 

R. leciiodermis. — White-stemmed Raspberry. — Stem 
erect, but ends bending over, as usual with all the black- 
cap Raspberries ; glaucous, armed with stout, mostly re- 
curved prickles ; leaves three-foliate, or sometimes iie- 
dately five-foliate, never simj)le; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, 
acuminate, double serrate, white-tomentose beneath, veins 
and petioles prickly ; fruit large, but variable in color, 
from a yellowish brown to black, usually with consider- 
able bloom. This species was first described by Douglas 
some fifty years ago, and recently in the Botany of Cali- 
fornia, but from long acquaintance with it, not only in its 
native habitats in the Rocky Mountains, and with j^lants 
from various sources cultivated in my garden, I cannot 
see w^hy it should be separated as a distinct species from 
the E. occidetitalis. 

R, stri^osiis. — Wild Red Raspberry. — Stems upright, 
beset with stiff, straight bristles ; leaflets three to five, 
oblong, ovate, pointed, cut serrate, whitish-downy under- 
neath ; fruit light red, finely flavored. Common every- 
where, and many varieties of it in cultivation. 
6 



122 SMALL FRUIT CULTUUIST. 

R. occidentalis — Black Easpberry. — Stems recurved, 
armed with hooked prickles ; leaflets three, sometimes 
five, ovate, pointed, coarsely serrate, whitened under- 
neath ; fruit purple or black, occasionally Yellowish-white. 
A variable species. 

R. IdcBUS. — European Easpberry. — Stems erect, woody, 
prickles, slender, straight ; leaves trifoliate ; leaflets ovate, 
deeply serrate, whitish- tomentose beneath, green above ; 
flowers white ; fruit red or yellowish-white ; root peren- 
nial, creeping, producing numerous suckers. Common 
garden Easpberry. Native of various portions of Europe, 
and probably of Asia. It derived the name Idaeus from 
Mount Ida — this name being given it by the Greeks. 

There are many other species of the Easpberry, natives 
of different portions of the world. In fact, there is 
scarcely a country with which we have any communica- 
tion that does not possess one or more sj)ecies. Many of 
these have been introduced, but so far none have proved 
of sufficient value to be worthy of cultivation. 

The R. Japouicus, which was disseminated some years 
ago from the experimental garden at Washington, was 
supposed at the time to be of value, but it proved to be 
too tender for open air culture at the North, and we have 
no accounts of it from the South. 

The E. IdcBus has given thus far all varieties from 
abroad worthy of cultivation. But from our native spe- 
cies, Rubus strigosus and R. occidentalis, a number of 
very valuable varieties have been produced. 

HISTORY. 

Pliny, the elder, who is supposed to have written his 
natural history about the year 45, mentions the Easpberry 
as one of the wild brambles, which the Greeks called Idsea. 



EASPBERRY. 123 

Palhidius, a Roman agricultural writer, who flourished 
in the fourth century, or about fourteen liundred years 
ago, mentions the Raspberry as one of the cultivated 
fruits of his time. 

Tusser, Gerarde and Parkinson mention the Red Rasj)- 
berry, and Miller adds the White as among the varieties 
of his time. 

Bui like most of the other small fruits, very little im 
provement was made until within the past century, as th 
old gardeners depended mainly upon the wild plants, 
which they obtained from the woods of their own or 
some foreign country. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — Growing from seed is only to be recom- 
mended for the j^urpose of producing new varieties. 
Gather the fruit when fully ripe, and either dry it and 
preserve the seeds in this manner until wanted for plant- 
ing, or wash the seed from the pulp and preserve in sand, 
or sow them immediately in the open ground. Raspberry 
seeds possess great vitality, and may be kept sound for 
years in ciny cool dry place. If sown in the fill they will 
germinate early in spring, and usually produce canes suf- 
ficiently strong to fruit the second year. If the seed is 
from a tender variety, then the young plants should be 
protected in winter, either by being taken up and heeled-in, 
or by bending down and covering with soil. It is usually 
better to take up the seedlings in the fall and heel them 
in until spring, then plant again, cutting them down close 
to the ground at the time. This will cause them to throw 
up strong canes, that will produce fruit the next (third) 
year in sufficient quantities to enable the grower to deter- 
mine very nearly its relative value to other kinds. 

By Roots and Root Cuttings. — A larger portion of 
the varieties of the Raspberry in cultivation produce 



124 SMALL FKUIT CULTUIlISIi 

suckers from the roots, or what may be properly called 
underground stems. 

There is, however, one species, and its varieties, which 
does not, as a rule, multiply in this manner, but as this is 
only a single exception, I will give the method of its prop- 
agation under tlie head of layers. 

Some varieties produce suckers in great abundance, 
while others do so sparingly. This manner of propagation 
being a natural one, we take advantage of it, and not only 
allow the plants to produce suckers naturally, but dig up 
the roots and cut them into small pieces, and force each to 
produce a plant, thus increasing the number many fold. 

To save repetition I will give a rule which will apply to 
all of the members of this great family of plants, whether 
it be the Rose, Raspberry, Blackberry, Apple, Pear, Plum, 
&c., &c., and that is, any of them which naturally pro- 
duce suckers from the roots may be readily propagated 
from cuttings of the same. Those which produce them 
most abundantly are the most readily multiplied in this 
manner. Whether it would be advisable to employ this 
means of propagation upon every variety or species which 
is susceptible of it, is an open question, but upon the spe- 
cies now under consideration, there is scarcely a doubt of 
its utility ; therefore I will give the manner in which I 
usually propagate those varieties of Raspberries which 
naturally produce suckers, as well as all of the varieties 
and species of the Blackberry. I follow the same plan 
for both, and with equally good results. 

Take uj) the roots when the plants have ceased growing, 
and cut them into pieces of from one to three inches in 
length. Then prepare some boxes, by boring holes in the 
bottom to insure a good drainage, and place a layer ol 
straw over the holes to prevent the soil from falling 
through ; put on an inch or tw^o of soil, over this a layer of 
roots, then a layer of soil, and so on until the box is full. 



RASPBERRY. 



125 




Bury the boxes containing the roots on a dry knoll or 
slight elevation in the garden, hank theai up witli soil, 
and cover so deeply that the roots will not be frozen. In 

addition to this, it is 
well to cover the 
whole with boards 
to carry oif the wa- 
ter, and if the soil is 
naturally tenacious 
Fi^. 52— BOX OP CUTTINGS. and wet, a small ex- 

cavation should be made at a point that will be under the 
center of the box when put in place, as shown in figure 52. 
This arrangement will allow any surplus moisture wliich 
inay accumulate in the boxes to drain off. Early in spring, 
xis soon as the weather and soil will permit, take out the 
roots and plant them in good rich soil, placing the pieces 
about three or four inches apart, in drills, and covering 
two to four inches deep, according to the nature of the 
soih If it is a heavy one, two inches will be sufficient. 
When the plants are to be cultivated with the plow or 
cultivator, the drills should be three feet apart ; but the 
best method is to place them not more than eighteen 
inches or two feet apart, and cultivate entirely with the 
hoe or fork. In a naturally dry and porous soil, it is a 
good plan to cover the entire surface, at the tune of plant- 
ing, with a liberal dressing of some coarse material as a 
mulch. This will insure a supply of moisture, and often 
save a large j^ortion of the cuttings, if not the entire 
stock. Cuttings made in the fall, and placed where they 
will not freeze during winter, have an advantage over 
those made in the spring, from the fact that the peculiar 
process which always precedes the formation of roots, 
called the callus^ has sufficient time for full development 
before actual root growth commences. The new roots are 
usually emitted from the ends of the cuttings where the 
callus appears. The callus is always produced first, roots 



126 SMAI.L FRUIT CULTURIST. 

succeed it, but what relation the callus bears to the root 
is not fully known ; it appears to hold, the same relation 
to it that the cotyledons of some seeds do to the germ, 
I. e., it sup})lies the roots with the necessary food until 
they are able to extract it from the soil themselves. 

The buds from which the stems are produced are dis- 
tinctly adventitious, that is, they do not arise from any 
previously formed or latent bud, but are developed from 
the matter between the bark and wood. From this point 
the bud originates ; first, by a very minute aggregation 
of colls, which assumes a conical shape, pressing outward 
through the bark and up to the surface, whei'e the leaves 
are spread out to the light and air. Sometimes several 
buds will be produced on a very small piece of root ; but 
when this occurs all will be comparatively feeble if they 
continue to grow. In a majority of such cases the 
strongest of them will take the lead and the others fail. 

Figure 53 shows a piece of root with two shoots, one of 
which has reached the surface, and the leaves expanding. 
Plants grown in this manner are much better than those 
produced in the natural manner from suckers, because 
they are more abundantly supj)lied with fibrous roots. 
Root cuttings of from one to three inches in length, plant- 
ed in good soil, will make plants one to three feet high 
the first season. Plants may also be taken up, and the 
roots made into cuttings, in the spring, and planted in the 
same maniier as described for those made in the fall. 

When the variety is very scarce, then any small roots 
may be used for propagating, but in such cases it is best 
not to attempt it in the open ground, but place them in a 
propagating house. Cut the roots into pieces of from one- 
half to one inch long, mix with sand, and place in a \varm 
situation, but not in so high a temperature as to force the 
formation of buds. When the callus is formed, and buds 
begin to show themselves upon the surface, which they 
should do in four to six weeks, place them in soil com* 



RASPBERRY. 



127 



posed of equal parts of leaf mold and sand, and in a posi- 
tion where they will receive a heat of seventy-five to 
ninety degrees. 

When the plants have made a growth of four to six 
inches, they may be potted singly, or planted out into the 
open ground, provided the weather is warm and there is 
no danger of their becoming checked by cold. 




Fig. 53. — ROOT CUTTLNG. 

Root cuttings, however, produce the very best plants, 
and the number that can be made from the roots of one 
large stool, if given proper care, is much greater than 
one would suppose who has never tried it. 

There will be occasionally a variety whose roots will 
develop bucls very slowly with ordinary care, and they 
require a little forcing. With such kinds I have some- 
times found it beneficial to place the boxes of roots in a 
6 



128 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



warm cellar or room, during winter, being careful not to 
keej) them so wet as to cause tbem to rot, nor so dry that 
they will shrivel. In a warm situation, and with proper 
care in keeping them just moist and no more, both buds 
and roots are sure to be produced by planting time in 

gpring. 

Layers.— Layering, as a means of propagating the 
Raspberry or Blackberry, is seldom practiced, neither is 
it to be recommended, except in cases of extreme scarcity. 
To succeed with this mode, the layers must be put down 




Fil^. 54. — MANNER OF GROWTH OF BLACK CAP. 

early in the season, so soon as the young canes are of suf- 
ficient size to be conveniently handled. A tongue should 
be made on the layer as with hard wooded plants, al- 
though with some varieties of the H. occidentalism this is 
not necessary, as every portion of the branch that is cov- 
ered will readily emit roots. Most of tlie varieties of this 
species grow in the form shown in figure 54. The canes 
grow very strong and stocky at the base, gradually becom- 
ing slender, and the ends bending down to the ground 
and taking root as show^n, thus form a natural layer. 
The extreme point of the cane generally, after entering 
the ground, turns up, forming a large bud, from which the 
cane for the next season is produced. 



KASPBERRY. 



129 




130 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

In figure 55 is shown what may be called a well-rooted 
plant, produced from the tip of one of the canes. When 
Ihese young plants are taken uj), a foot or more of the 
cane may be left on them for convenience in handling, but 
when planted again this should be cut off close to the 
-oots, and but the one bud [A.) allowed to grow. 

Occasionally more than one plant will be produced upon 
a single cane, because after the extreme end of the main 
cane has taken root, one or more of the buds immediately 
above it wUl push into growth, and being but a few inches 
off the ground they soon reach it and become rooted, as 
shown in fio;ure 56. Sometimes the roots will become so 
interlaced that they are separated with difficulty, although 
in the engraving they are shown with very few roots. 

If a foot or more of the cane is covered with soil, late 
in the summer, when the wood has become somewhat 
firm, roots will be emitted from every portion of it, and 
when taken up it may be separated, and each bud become 
a plant. The plants obtained in this manner are not gen- 
erally as good as those produced from the extremie tip of 
the canes. It will very often be necessary to go over the 
plantation and cover the tips of the canes to insure their 
producing roots. If the plants are grown where the wind 
is constantly moving the canes about, their tips will not 
root, because they do not remain long enough in one place 
to allow the roots to penetrate the soil. All that is neces- 
sary is to throw a small quantity of soil on to the extreme 
end of each cane. A garden trowel is a good implement 
for this purpose, putting on just soil enough to keep the 
end of the cane steady in one place, and no more. 

The time of performing this operation will vary in dif 
ferent locations and soils. In the latitude of New York 
City, the last of August to the middle of September is 
the usual time of covering or layering the canes. But 
care should be observed in not covering too early, as well 
as deferring it until too late. 



RASPBERRY, 



131 



The canes will usually show indications of becoming 
rooted, such as a slight enlargement near the end, a ces- 




Fig. 56. — END OF STEM FORMING SEVERAL PLANTS. 

sation of growth, &c., before it is really necessary or safe 
to cover them. If covered too early, and before the canes 



132 SMALL FEUIl CULTURIST. 

have begun to ripen, they will rot, and no plant will be 
produced. 

The roots will continue to grow until the ground freezes, 
and if the canes are in a proper state when covered, they 
will generally become well rooted in two or three weeks. 

It is so little trouble to cover the tips, and thereby in- 
sure their taking root, that it is seldom advisable to neg- 
lect it, if the plants are wanted. All of the tips will not 
be in the same condition at one time, so that it will be 
necessary to go over the plants at least twice, covering a 
portion each time. 

The same theory has been advanced by some cultivators 
in regard to the plants produced from the ends of the 
canes, as that which I have mentioned in a previous chap- 
ter, relative to the runners of the Strawberry. And there 
is just as much truth in one as the other ; the only differ- 
ence, in fact, Hes in the strength of the plants, and should 
the last tip reach a lump of manure or richer soil than tlie 
first one, it would become a better rooted plant than the 
first, and superior to it in every respect. 

There is another theory in regard to the production of 
plants of this class of Raspberry that lias been accepted 
by many, and may be worthy of a passing remark. 

The theory referred to was promulgated by Mr. Doo- 
little, the introducer of the Jocelyn or Doolittle Black 
Raspberry, and is this : " The first growth from the young 
plants only nmst be used for propagation." To carry out 
this plan, the young plants may be allowed to take root at 
the ends the first season, but thereafter, no plants must be 
taken from them, but new plants must be put out every 
season for the purpose of propagation. 

Mr. Doolittle claims that great improvement can be, and 
has been, made by following this system for several years 
in succession, and if it is not followed,the plants degener- 
ate. But facts do not substantiate the theory, because 
we have varieties that have been as many years in cult! 



RASPBERRY. 133 

vation as tlie one sent out by Mr. Doolittle, and although 
never subjected to this system, they have not deteriorated. 

And further, there is not one grower of the Black Rasp 
berry in a hundred who attempts to follow Mr. Doolittle's 
plan, but they propagate from the same stools from year to 
year, and yet this variety appears to be just as large, pro- 
ductive and good as it was when first disseminated. 

Mr. Doolittle's theory is contrary to the one usually ac- 
cepted in regard to fruit trees, for with them we generally 
select wood for propagation from fully developed speci- 
mens, believing that by doing so we are more likely to in- 
sure productive and healthy plants, than by pursuing an 
opposite course. 

Young plants may sometimes produce better ones than 
old, because when planted on fresh soil, and the stem be- 
ing entirely removed, they start early, making a compara- 
tively small plant the first season — the ends of the branches 
reach the ground earlier, and become rooted before they 
would from older stools. Just so long as the old plants 
can be kept growing vigorously, and the young canes re- 
main healthy, they may be used for propagation without 
danger of deterioration. 

All of the varieties of the Black Raspberry are more or 
less subject to producing what are generally called sports, 
that is, the plants vary from the usual type very often 
without any apparent cause. Sometimes the plant will as- 
faume a very different character from the normal one, becom- 
ing barren, leaves smaller, canes of a different color, &c., 
while in other instances these sports will be a decided im- 
provement upon the original, the fruit becoming larger 
and produced in greater quantity, or two crops will be 
borne in a season instead of one. 

These changes may be the result of neglect in culture, 
diseases, or from extra care, which causes a more rapid 
and full development than usual. 



134 SMALL FEUrr CULTURIST. 

By Cuttings. — There are but few varieties of tlie Rasp* 
berry that can be successfully grown from ripe wood cut- 
tings. Some of the Black Raspbeny class will succeed 
if the cuttings are made early in the fill, and then placed 
in a propagating house, but, as a rule, there is nothing 
gained in endeavoring to propagate them in this manner. 
Green Avood cuttings, however, grow very readily by the 
same process used by propagators in multiplying grapes 
and other plants. 

The cuttings may be taken from plants growing in the 
open air, but it is better to take them up in the autumn 
and pot them, and place in a propagating house, and then 
take off the young growth from time to time as it appears. 

All the varieties and species of the Raspberry and 
Blackberry may be successfully propagated in this manner 
whenever it is desirable; although there being so many 
other methods of multiplying them, that it will seldom be 
necessary to resort to this one. 

Single bud cuttings may be made of the mature wood 
in the fall, always selecting the medium sized branches and 
those that have not become very hard. 

In making these single bud cuttings, cut off the cane 
about half an inch above the bud, and the same distance 

below, and then divide the cut- 
ting through the middle length- 
wise, preserving the half that 
Fig. 57.-SINGLE BUD CUTTING, contaius thc bud (fig. 57). Plant 

them in boxes or pots, about an inch apart, covering 
about half an inch deep ; then place them where they 
Avill be in a temperature of from 75 to 100 degrees. 
This is not quite so certain a method as the others, still 
with some varieties very good plants can be produced by 
an experienced proj)agator. When propagating the Black, 
berry from single bud cuttings, the dividing of the stem 
lengthwise may be omitted, but with the Raspberry it is 
better than leaving them entire. 




RASPBERRY. 



135 



By Suckers. — While, as I have previously stated, there 
are some varieties which naturally produce suckers in 
abundance, there are also others that do so very sparingly ; 
and still these kinds do not multiply in any other way if 
left entirely to themselves. It is also true that those kinds 
which produce few suckers are more difficult to pro2)agate 
from cuttings of the roots ; consequently we must find 
some method of forcing the roots to produce a greater 
number of suckers tlian they do naturally. 

This may be accomplished in the following manner: 
Late in autumn, or very early in spring, dig up the old 
stools by cutting off with a spade all the roots within a 
foot of the base of the stem. 

In figure 58 is shown a plant of the Philadelphia Rasp- 
berry, the simi-circular white line showing the point where 

the roots are severed. The Phila- 
delphia, Catawissa, and similar 
kinds, which do not sucker freely, 
are often treated in this manner. 
If more plants are wanted than 
may be expected if the roots are 
left entire, then another incision 
may be made in the same way 
one foot outside of the first, but 
in making it, no soil should be 
thrown out, the spade being 
thrust down into the soil its en- 
tire length, to separate the roots, 
and then withdrawn. After the 
roots have been divided, the sur- 
face of the soil should be harrowed over and made level. 
If a liberal supply of manure is applied as a tojD dressing, 
it will assist the growth of the plants very much. The 
roots remaining in the ground will usually throw up 
suckers in abundance, and make excellent plants. 

6* 




Fig. 58.— CUTTING THE ROOTS. 



136 SMALL FRUIT CTTLTUEIST. 

SOIL AND LOCATIONS. 

For the purpose of giving a general rule (exceptions 
included), I will divide the Raspberries into two classes, 
without regard to species : 

Class 1. — The common Red and White kinds, taking 
the Antwerps as the foreign branch, and the wild Red as 
the native type. These require a deep rich moist soil, and 
one that is rather compact, such as a heavy loam or clay. 
These succeed very poorly in a sandy soil, unless it be in 
the extreme North. 

Class 2. — The Black Raspberry [R. occidentalis) and 
Its varieties succeed in both light and heavy soils (although 
they prefer the former), and in the most Northern as well 
as in the Southern States. 

To this peculiarity of the varieties of the two classes, 
we owe, in a great measure, the diversity of opinion so 
often expressed by fruit growers from the different sections 
of the country. 

The Antwerp class, as a whole, do not succeed upon 
liglit soils south of latitude forty-one, and they sometimes 
fail even to the north of this. In the sandv soils of New 
Jersey, and farther South, their leaves burn in summer, 
which prevents the canes maturing; consequently they 
die in winter whether covered or otherwise. 

This has been one of the great obstacles to Raspberry 
culture, as this class has been the one chiefly recommended, 
for the very good reason that the fruit was of superior 
quality, although ihe plants were delicate. 

North of the latitude named, very few of the varieties 
cultivated are hardy, and protection in winter is required. 
A few of the native Red kinds will withstand the cold of 
winter at the North, but for some cause they have not as 
yet become very popular. These few kinds, which are 
hardy at the North, often fail at the South from the cause 
uamed, and the canes winter-kill even in a very mild 



RASPBERKT. 137 

climate. The fact that one class succeeds better in a 
heavy soil than a light one should not be overlooked, even 
at the South, but taken advantage of whenever practicable. 

SELECTION OF PLANTS. 

The canes of all the varieties of Raspberries are only- 
biennial, that is, canes are produced one year, bear fruit 
the next, and then die ; therefore there is no such thing 
as two or three year old plants, as with trees and vines, 
when we refer to the stems, but the roots may be several 
years old, as they are perennial. One year old plants are 
the best for transplanting in all cases. Suckers are con- 
sidered the best plants with those kinds which produce 
them, but plants grown from root cuttings, if the opera- 
tion is properly performed, are equally as good, and some- 
times they are really superior, because furnished with a 
larger number of fibrous roots. The same may be said of 
those grown from cuttings of the stems; they may be of 
first rate quality or otherwise. 

The old stools may also be taken up and divided and 
planted again, but such plants are not to be recommended, 
and should never be used if it can be avoided. With 
those kinds which produce plants from the tips of the 
canes, it is more important to select none older than one 
season, because the old plants produce new fibers very 
slowly at the best, and when transplanted they are very 
likely to fail, even with the best of care. 

PLANTING AND CULTURE. 

Thorough preparation of the soil before planting is jus 
as important with the Raspberry as with other fruits. 

Planting in rows and then restricting the plants to hills 
or stools, as it is termed, is the usual method. 

The rows should be four to six feet apart, according to 
the variety cultivated. With the Antwerp, and similar 
varieties, four feet each way is the usual distance, but with 



138 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

the stronger growing kinds tlie rows should De at least 
six feet apart, andlhe plants four or five feet apart in the 
rows. 

In planting the smaller growing kinds, two plants may 
he set in a hill, placing them about six inches apart ; for 
in this way w^e double the chances of securing a uniform 
plantation, because one may die and the other live ; and 
if both should grow, a large stool will be secured in less 
time than if the plants were placed singly. The first cost 
of the plant is not usually of so much importance as the 
loss of a crop, or of a year in time, which would be the 
result wherever the plants should die and have to be re- 
placed. Spring is the usual time in the Northern States 
for planting the Raspberry, and the fall for sections where 
the ground does not freeze very deeply. 

Select plants that have plenty of small fibrous roots, 
and set them no deeper than they were before removal. 
The upper tier of roots is usually about four inches below 
the surface, but in some instances they will be at a far 
greater depth. It is not advisable, however, to plant 
deeply, because the suckers which spring from the stem 
below ground, or from the lateral roots, will not come up 
so freely when the plants are set deep as when shallow. 
At the time of planting, cut the canes down close to the 
surface of the soil, because if they are left entire, it will 
require nearly, if not quite, all the strength of the root to 
force the buds on them into growth. These will produce 
a few weak shoots, and perhaps some fruit, and then the 
canes will die down to the root and no farther. 

The entire forces of the plant are required the first sea- 
son to produce canes, if anything like a crop of fruit is 
expected the next. 

In some sections of the country the soil is naturally 
very poor, and it may also be very difficult to obtain su^ 
ficient manure to enrich the whole of it before planting. 
Under such circumstances, the plants may be manured Id 



RASPEERRY. 139 

the liill by mixing a shovel full or more with the soil at 
the point marked for the plants before setting them. 

Afterwards manure may be applied to the surface of the 
soil, and worked in with plow or cultivator. If barn-yard 
manure, or a compost of it, and other materials cannot be 
obtained, then bone, poudrette, or some other kind may 
be aj)plied. 

A plow or cultivator may be used among the plants for 
keeping the weeds down in summer, but keep the soil as 
nearly level as possible ; never bank up the plants and let 
them remain in this situation for any considerable time. 
A small plow mny be used -to break up the soil between 
the rows whenever it is necessary, but the cultivator 
should be passed over it soon after^to level it down again. 

If the variety cultivated is one that increases by suckers, 
allow but one or two from each root to grow the first sea- 
son, and not more than six to eight from one stool in any 
one year thereafter, unless the production of plants is more 
important than that of fruit. 

The fruiting canes will not always remain in one place, 
as the suckers will come up more freely upon one side 
than upon another, and the uniform distances between the 
stools will soon be lost, and some will be six feet apaii; 
while others not more than two. A little care given at 
the time the suckers are making their appearance in early 
summer, by cutting out where they are likely to be 
crowded, and preserving all where they are thin, will ena- 
ble the grower to preserve the required number of bear- 
ing canes in each row. 

It will often be necessary to use the hoe among the 
plants, because the plow or cultivator caimot be used to 
advantage, except in passing lengthwise of the rows, 
except for the first year or two, and not then unless great 
care was observed in planting, so that the rows are placed 
In direct lines each way. 

Clean cultivation is important, because if the plants be- 



140 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST, 

come choked with grass and weeds, it will check their 
growth, and not only the fruiting cnnes will suffer for 
moisture, but those intended for tlie next season's ci'op. 

With varieties which produce no suckers from lateral 
roots, but only from the crowns of the main root, greater 
uniformity can be preserved in their cultivation. The 
only precaution necessary is to see that too many canes 
do not grow ; three or four are sufficient, all others should 
be cut off when they first appear. 

PRUNING. 

Very little pruning is necessary with the Raspberry, and 
In general field culture none is given, except to go over the 
plantation after fruiting and cut out close to the ground 
all of the old canes. Some defer this operation until win- 
ter or the following spring, but it is better to do it soon 
after the fruit is gathered, so that the young canes shall 
not be crowded by the old ones. Because no other pru- 
ning is generally practiced, it is no sufficient reason why it is 
not necessary, or that it would not be beneficial. The bear- 
ing canes should be pinned in the spring by heading back 
the leading shoots, and shortening the lateral ones. This 
operation is particularly beneficial to the Black Raspberry, 
Purple Cane, and others of this class, inasmuch as they 
produce such long slender canes that they would be 
broken or bent to the ground by the weight of fruit un- 
less severely pruned. 

The principal canes, as well as the lateral ones, should be 
shortened to about one-third their original length. When 
pruned in this manner the fruit will be much larger, and 
the plant will yield as many qunrts as though the canes 
were left their full length. I3esides, the plants will very 
often set more fruit when left unpruned than they can 
mature, and all is lost. 

There are a few varieties in cultivation which produce 
two crops in a season ; that is, the year old canes throw 



RASPBERRY. 141 

out Literal fruiting branches the same as other kinds, and 
tlie new canes of the season bear fruit on their terminaJ 
point or branches in autumn. This second crop, or what 
is really the first crop of the cane, is usually not a very 
abundant one, although highly prized by some persons, 
because produced at other than the usual season for such 
fruit. If it is desirable to increase the late crop, then the 
entire plants should be cut down at the time of the annual 
pruning. This will cause the young canes to start early, 
and having the whole root for their support, they will 
come into bearing earlier in the fill, ami bear more abun- 
dantly than if two crops were produced. 

TRAINING. 

In general field culture the usual mode is to train to 
stakes, but many cultivators are now dispensing Avith 
these artificial aids, and by close pruning they endeavor 
to make the canes sustain their fruit without assistance. 

I think, however, that it is questionable at least whether 
there is really anything saved by not using stakes, because 
many of the canes will be blown down by the wind, others 
will be broken by the weight of fruit, while the lateral 
branches will fall upon the ground, and the fruit become 
splashed with soil, thus making it unfit for use. The cost 
of stakes is but a trifle in comparison to the value of the 
fruit lost when they are not used, especially when it com- 
mands so large a price as it does in most of our eastern 
markets. 

Chestnut stakes five feet long and two to three inches in 
diameter, made from large trees, cost me less than two 
cents each, and my location is within twenty miles of New 
York City, and where timber of all kinds commands a 
large price. I cannot afford to grow Raspberries without 
staking, because every stake will save on an average ten 
cents worth of fruit, and in many instances three times 
that amount. 



142 



SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 



In the great Raspberry plantations of IS'ew York, stakes 
are used, and every fruiting cane is tied iij)^ early in spring. 
The stakes used are four or live feet long, one being driven 
near each stool, and the canes tied loosely to it. After the 
crop has been gathered, the stakes are all taken up and 
put away under cover until wanted the next season. The 
old canes are all removed in the fdl, and all suckers not 
AV anted for fruiting are taken up, preparatory to giving 
winter protection to those that remain. 

WINTER PROTECTION. 

Until within a very few years, the varieties principally 
cultivated for market were those of foreign origin. Oc- 
casionally one would be introduced that was quite hardy 




Fig. 59.— LAYING DOWN THE CANES. 

even in the Northern States, but as a whole, they required 
protection to insure a full crop. Many different methods 
for protecting the plants in winter have been suggested 
and tried, but there is probably none so simple or cheap 
as that of laying down the plants and covering with soil. 
To perform this operation rapidly,it requires two men, one 
to bend down the plants while the other throws a shovel 
full of soil upon them, or just enough to keep them in 
place. The canes should be bent down lengthwise of the 
row, as shown in figure 59. When the jjlants have all 
been laid down, a plow is passed along on each side of the 
row, turning the soil upon them. In this manner an acre 



RASPBERRY. 143 

may be covered at a cost not exceeding fifteen dollars. 
The plants should not be covered until the approach of 
cold weather, usually deferring the operation as long as it 
can be with safety. If the canes are covered while the 
weather is warm, or before they are fully ripe, they will 
decay. 

In the spring, after all danger of severe freezing is past, 
take up the canes by passing a fork under them, gently 
lifting and shaking oft' the soil. Drive down the stakes 
and tie the canes to them as before. Cut off all dead and 
broken canes, and shorten all others. When the canes are 
very tall, a foot or more may be pruned off with benefit to 
that which remains. All side or lateral branches should 
be shortened at least one-half, and sometimes if two-thirds 
of their length were cut away, it would be still better. 

GARDEN CULTURE. 

The same general systems adapted to field culture are 
also applicable to the garden, but usually more care will be 
bestowed upon a few plants than upon a larger number. 
When only a few are grown, they may be watered, or the 
ground covered with a mulch, either of which operations 
will assist very much in the full development of the fruit. 

The plants may also be allowed to bear the first season, 
if fruit is very desirable, for by giving extra care, new 
canes for the next year may be produced from the same 
root, besides supporting the fruiting cane. It is, however, 
the safest plan to set three or four plants in a hill, and cut 
one or two of them down to the ground, and leave the 
others with canes about two feet long. Sometimes quite 
a large crop will be produced on plants set in spring, and 
though it usually prevents the root throwing up suckers 
strong enough to bear the ensuing year, still, with plants 
that cost but a few cents each, there is nothing lost even 
if they die outright after fruiting. With those who are 
just commencing a garden, it is sometimes quite an object to 



144 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



have fruit the first season, even if there is no profit in the op- 
eration. A different system of training may also be adopted, 
and instead of stakes, a simj^le and cheap trellis may be made 
by setting strong stakes about twenty feet apart along the 
rows, and then stretch a wire from one to the other, and 




Fig. 60.— RASPBERKT TRELLIS. 

to this tie the fruiting canes, as shown in figure 60. If 
the variety cultivated is tender, then bend down and cover 
the canes with soil in winter, using a spade or shovel in- 
stead of the plow. 




Fig. 61. — TRAINING TO STAKES. 

Another method is shown in figure 61. In this the 
stakes are driven on opposite sides of the stools and about 
two feet distant, the bearing canes are bent over and tied 
in the manner shown. The young shoots of the season 
will not always grow up in the center as represented in the 
engraving, but that is the place where it would be desira- 
ble to have them grow to enable us to carry out this 



KASPBERRY. 



145 



somewhat ideal system. The bearmg canes are cut away 
after the fruit is gathered, and the next spring the four 
young canes shown in an upright position, are bent down 
in the same manner as those of the previous year. 

Training within a hoop is a very pretty plan for small 
gardens. This is done by driving two stakes, one on each 
side of the stool, and about a foot 
from it ; then take a common barrel 
hoop and nail it to the stakes, as in 
figure 62. The canes are trained up 
within the hoop and tied to it at 
regular distances apart, thereby sup- 
porting the canes and preventing 
them from being blown about by 
the winds and injuring the fruit. 

There are many other very neat 
and convenient systems of training 
the Raspberry in use among amateur 
cultivators, but those already named will give the reader a 
very good idea of their genei'al scope, besides suggesting 
other modes, such as training upon walls, fences, along 
the sides of Avalks or as a kind of a hedge, also planting and 
training in a half shady situation, with a northern exposure 
for a late crop, and in one of an ojDposite character for an 
early one. 

So various are the changes that can be made in every 
department of fruit-culture, that to give tliem all in detail 
would require one or more large volumes for each species 
in cultivation. 




Fi^. 62. — HOOP TRAC- 
ING. 



DURATION OF PLANTS. 

The duration of a Raspberry plantation will depend 
very much upon the variety cultivated, as well as upon the 
nature of the soil and care given the plants. Ten to four- 
teen years is about the average under good culture, but 
sometimes they will remain productive for twenty years. 
7 



146 SMALL FBUIT CULTUBIST; 

No rule or set time should be heeded in this matter, but 
so soon as the plants fail to produce remunerative crops, 
plow them up and plant some other crop upon the soil, 
for two or three years, after which it may again be planted 
with Kaspberries if it is desirable. 

DISEASES AND INSECTS. 

The diseases affecting the Easpberry are principally 
those known by the common names of rust and blight. 
They are microscopic fungi or parasitic plants of a low 
order, which seem to thrive best under conditions inimi- 
cal to their victims. If plantations of the Raspberry are 
neglected, and weeds are permitted to grow and ab- 
sorb the moisture and fertility of the soil, some of the 
many species of rusts are pretty certain to appear, and 
aid in the destruction of the plants. A cold, wet, or dry 
season, over-bearing of the plants, exhaustion of the fer- 
tility of the soil, in fact, any condition unfavorable to 
the growth of the Raspberry canes, is usually followed by 
the appearance of blight or rust. A peculiar species of 
red or orange-colored rust has, of late years, been very 
prevalent among both Raspberry and Blackberry planta- 
tions of the Eastern States, but appears to be more 
abundant and injurious to Black-cap Raspberries than 
other species. It has received the scientific name of 
Uredo rubrorum. Various remedies have been recom- 
mended, and while some may answer, together with good 
cultivation, the safest plan is to dig up and burn every 
infested plant as soon as it is discovered in one's grounds. 
AppKcations of lime, salt, ashes, soot, and similar ferti- 
lizers, may in some instances ward off attacks of fungoid 
diseases, but when they once become prevalent, the cul- 
tivator had better spend his time in setting out new 
plantations on fresh soil, than in attempting to renovate 
those that are old and diseased. 



EASPBERRY. 147 

With insects tlie cultivator lias a better chance of ob- 
taining the mastery than with the microscopic fungi, 
althouofh with some of tlie smaller and more numerous 
species of insects, he has enough to do if they are kept 
in check. Some kinds infest both the Easpberry and 
Blackberry, and as it would not be straiige to find almost 
any of the species passing from the plants of one to the 
other, I shall treat of the enemies of both in this place. 

The common cutworms are sometimes very destructive 
to the young suckers about the old plants, these pests 
severing them as they appear above the surface. In old 
and well-established plantations, the loss of a few hun- 
dreds or thousands of new shoots will not be missed, for 
others soon appear from the subterranean stems and roots ; 
but in newly set plantations, the destruction of the first 
young shoots frequently causes the roots to die, and re- 
planting becomes necessary. I have found the cutworms 
a great pest, when setting out Black-cap tips, they ap- 
pearing to be very fond of the young sprouts, and if left 
undisturbed will very soon destroy the plants. The only 
certain method of destruction of cutworms is to search 
about the hills or plants daily, and crush 
all that are found. They usually hide 
just under the surface, and not many 
inches from the plants they have attack- 
ed, or are about to j^rey upon. There 
are also several leaf-cutting pests which 
occasionally infest Raspberry plants, but 
with all these, dusting the plants with 
lime, ashes, and similar insecticides, will Fi^. 63.— rasp- 
usually prove effectual. Among the in- berbt-boreb. 
sects affecting the canes, the common Easpberry-Borer, or 
Red-necked Buprestis {Agrilus ruficollis), figure 63, is 
probably the most injurious, at least in the Western 
States. It is a small beetle of the form shown in the en- 
graving, with a red thorax or neck. The larva bores the 




148 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 




Fiff. 61— SNOWY TREE-CRICKET. 



canes in summer, causing large excrescences or galls, check- 
ing the flow of sap, and causing the death of the cane. 

The Snowy Tree-Cricket {CEca7itlius ?iiveus), figure 64, 
is another insect pest that appears to prefer the canes of 
the Raspberry as a nidus for its eggs, to the twigs of other 
shrubs and trees. It will, however, if there are no Rasp- 
berry plants handy, de- 
posit its eggs in the 
Grape, Willow, Peach, 
and other kinds of trees. 
Its long, slender eggs 
are deposited in a close compact row, each egg placed at 
a slight angle, and deep enough to reach the pith of the 
cane or twig. This weakens the canes, and they are often 
broken off by the wind. This breaking of the stems is 
not a serious loss, but the perfect insect has the very bad 
habit of cutting off the leaves of various plants in sum- 
mer ; and sometimes extends its mischievous work from 
Raspberry plants to Grape Vines, from which it cuts both 
leaves and fruit ; working at night when perfectly safe 
from observation. To get rid of the mature insect, I 
advise gathering the egg-infested canes and twigs in win- 
ter and early spring, and burning them. Of the insect 
enemies of the Blackberry, the Bramble Flea-Louse {Psylla 
tripiinctata, Fitch ; P. ruh., Riley) has been, perhaps, 
the most formidable of late years. The appearance of 
this insect in our Blackberry plantations, in sufficient 
number to do any considerable damage, is quite recent, 
probably within the past ten years. It is a small in- 
sect, and is quite closely allied to the Green Fly or Plant- 
Louse (ApJiis), but is distinguished from that by a differ- 
ent veining of the wings, and by having knobbed antennae, 
somewhat like those of the butterfly. These insects jump 
as briskly as a flea, from which characteristic they derive 
their scientific name. The presence of this pest in a 
Blackberry plantation is readily detected by the leaves of 



RASPBERRY. 149 

the infested shoots in summer being twisted and curled 
up, and the ends of the young canes also curl over and 
frequently assume a singular fasciated form. In the fall 
the leaves on the infested canes do not drop off, but curl 
up, and remain attached to the diseased stems. This 
pest appears to be on the increase, especially in the Eastern 
States, and every one having Blackberry plants in his 
garden should be on the look-out for it, and, when found, 
it should be gathered and burned. This operation should 
be performed either early in the morning or during the 
cool wet weather, else many of the insects will escape, 
and at the same time the shoots, as severed, should be 
immediately dropjied into bags, and then carried to the 
place where they are to be burned. 

Several species of borers infest the Blackberry ; one of 
the most common is a red-necked beetle, the Oierea per- 
spicillata of Haldeman, figure G5. The small 
eyeless grabs bore the pith of the canes, causing 
them to die prematurely, or so weakening 
them that they are broken down by the wind. 
As there are some fourteen or fifteen species 
of the Oherea described in our entomological 
works, it may be that more than one infest blackberry 
the canes of the Blackberry and Raspberry, bush borer. 

The Blackberry is subject to the attacks of several 
species of gall-insects. A fuzzy, prickly gall on the twigs 
is produced by a four-winged fly (Diastrophus cuscutce- 
formis 0. S). Another species of the same genus {Dias- 
tropliUH nebidosiis 0. S. ) produces a large pithy gall on 
the canes, but both of these gall-makers have very formid- 
able parasitic enemies which keep them in check. There 
are also a few leaf-eating beetles, slugs, and caterpillars, 
that sometimes attack the Blackberry, but they are sel- 
dom sufficiently numerous or injurious to attract much 
attention. The larger species are readily destroyed by 




^ Fiff. 65. 



150 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

hand-gathering, and the smaller ones can usually be 
driven off by dusting the j^lants with lime. 

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES. 
NATIVE SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 

Class I. — The Black Caps {Rulus occidentalis). 

American Black. {Black Rasplerries, Blade Cap 
Raspberry, TliimUe Berry). — Fruit medium, slightly 
oval, black with bloom ; sweet pleasant flavor ; there is but 
little juice, a greater portion of the berry being seeds. 
The plant roots from the ends of the young canes. In its 
wild state one of the most variable species known. Com- 
mon in all parts of the United States. 

American White Cap, {Yellow Cap, Golden Cap.) — 
Fruit one-half to five-eighths of an inch broad ; slightly 
oval ; grains larger than in the preceding variety ; pale 
or deep yellow, covered with a white bloom ; sweet, juicy, 
rather musky, but agreeable ; canes light yellow, slightly 
glaucous, very strong, stocky, with a few short spines ; 
only moderately productive. This variety is also found 
wild from Maine to the Mississippi Kiver, and probably 
farther West. I have received it from nearly all the 
Northern States, and from the southern portion of the 
State of Delaware. 

American Improved. {DoolittWs Blaclc Cap, Joslyn's 
Improved, Improved Black Cap Rasptherry). — Large, 
bhick, with slight bloom ; sweet, juicy, of the same flavor 
as the Wild Black Raspberry ; canes very vigorous, with 
numerous strong-hooked prickles. The extremely thorny 
character of the plant is its greatest fault, as it is equally 
as disagreeable a subject to work among as the Blackberry. 
Very productive and hardy. Found growing wild by 
Leander Joslyn, of Phelps, Ontario County, N. Y. 



RASPBERRY. ' 151 

Caroline* — Very large ; globular ; pale buff or yellow, 
with slight bloom ; juicy, with a sub-acid flavor. Ex- 
cellent for one of its class. This is claimed to be a hybrid 
between the Catawissa and Brinckle's Orange, but I think 
this is doubtful, as it is far more hardy and vigorous than 
either of the alleged parents, and the canes and leaves 
show it to be a genuine offspring of Ruhus occidentalis. 
It is certainly one of the best, if not the very best, of the 
Yellow Cap varieties. The plants produce a few suckers 
from the roots, and this characteristic is cited as proof of 
its being a hybrid. Originated with Mr. E. W. Carpen- 
ter, of Rye, N. Y. 

Davison's Thornless. (Thomless Black Cap.)— About 
the same size and shape as the American Improved, but a 
week or ten days earlier. Canes strong and quite stocky, 
smooth, except a very few small straight spines near the 
base and an occasional one on the leaf-stalk. The thorn- 
less character of the plant is certainly a decided improve- 
ment upon those which produce thorns in such abundance 
as do some others. Originated in the garden of Mrs. 
Mercy Davison, in the village of Gowandji, N. Y. ; intro- 
duced to the public in 1866, by Joseph Sinton, Angola, 
Erie County, N. Y. 

Gregfi^. — Berry very large ; black, with bloom ; flavor 
about the same as that of all the best sorts, but not supe- 
rior ; ripens late, and with the McCormick ; plant vig- 
orous and productive. Found growing wild in a ravine 
on the Gregg farm, Ohio Co., Indiana, in 1866. This 
variety has been highly extolled, and while I am ready 
to admit that it is a valuable variety of Black-cap Rasp- 
berry, I fail to see that it is in any way superior to many 
other older and well known sorts. 

McCormick* (Large 3Iiami. Mammoth Cluster.) — 
Very large ; black, covered with a whitish bloom. One 
of the very largest and best sorts in cultivation, ripening 



152 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

some two weeks later than the Doolittle, and a week or 
more later than the Seneca. Plants very strong, vigor- 
ous, and productive. An old variety, found in Ohio some 
thirty years ago, but re-named and brought out as new 
since the first edition of this work was issued. There 
seems to have been two varieties known as Miami. The 
large and small ; the first, however, was known locally 
as McOormick, being named from the man who first cul- 
tivated and distributed the plants to his neighbors. 

Miami Black €ap. — Large ; dark brown, almost black ; 
sweet, juic}^, and good. A little later than the American 
Improved, and the spines not so numerous. Hardy, pro- 
ductive, and valuable. From the Miami Valley, Ohio. 

Ohio Everbearing. {Monthly Black Cap.) — Large; 
black ; sweet, and moderately juicy ; canes strong, and 
rather more upright than some others ; sj^ines strong, 
hooked, and numerous ; very productive. The young 
canes produce a moderate crop in autumn. Cultivated 
among the Quakers in Ohio, and introduced to public 
notice many years ago, by N. Longworth, of Cincinnati. 

Seneca. — Large ; black, with slight bloom, and good 
flavor; plants vigorous and productive. An excellent 
sort to fill up the season between the earliest and latest 
varieties. A good market variety. 

Summit Yellow Cap. — Medium size ; pale pink or nearly 
white in the shade ; rather dry, but very sweet ; ripens a 
little later than the Common Black Cap ; canes strong 
and vigorous, pale-orange yellow, with considerable bloom ; 
spines short, slightly hooked, and rather numerous. From 
Summit Township, Crawford County, Pa. 

Surprise. — Very similar to the American Improved, 
but the berries are larger, more conical, and covered with 
a thick bloom ; sweet, sprightly, and good ; a valuable 
variety. Found growing wild in Missouri. 



RASPBERRY, 153 

Class II. —Purple Can^e Family. 

A portion at least of tlie following kinds are supposed 
to belong to the same species as the common Black Cap 
Raspberry {E. occidentalis.) But as they have a few 
characteristics in common, which are not found m the 
wild Black Raspberry, nor in any other species, I have 
placed them in a list by themselves. 

This separation is not claimed to be a strictly scientific 
one, but as a matter of convenience. 

The old Purple Cane Raspberry is so well known that 
I have selected it as the type or representative of this 
class. 

The principal difference between the varieties of the 
Black Cap and the Purple Cane is in the fruit. The first, 
as is well known, have a rather dry, tough fruit, with a pe- 
culiar flavor. Its grains numerous, and very irregular in 
size. The fruit of Purple Cane, as a rule, is rather soft, 
juicy, often very brittle, the grains separating very readily. 
Color, varying from light red to dark brownish-purple, 
but never black ; the flavor mild and agreeable, but en- 
tirely distinct from those of the true Black Raspberry. 

Catawissa* — Medium, round, dark reddish-purple, 
rather brittle and soft, juicy, moderately good, canes 
strong, very branching, bark dark brown, and few hooked 
spines. Produces a second crop in autumn. If the whole 
stool is cut down in spring, the young canes of the season 
will come into fruit early, and continue bearing until 
winter. The fruit is borne principally on the ends of the 
shoots of those which do not bend down and take root. 
Suckers are also produced very sparingly, but if the stools 
are taken up, and the roots left in the ground, a greater 
number will grow than otherwice. The plant is quite 
tender in the Northern States, and even in the locality 
where it was discovered, it is sometimes winter-killed. 



164: 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 




Ficr. 66. — LEAP OF PHILADELPHIA RASPBERRT. 



RASPBERRY. 155 

I have cultivated this variety about ten years, and have 
never as yet had a plant survive the winter unless protected. 
It is of no particular value unless for the purpose of pro- 
ducing a late crop, and to insure this the entire plant 
must be cut down early in spring. This variety was found 
in a graveyard, in the Village of Catawissa, Columbia 
County, Pa. 

EUisdale. — Large, roundish-oval, grains medium to 
large, quite regular in size ; color, light crimson or dark 
scarlet; rather firm and of good flavor ; canes very strong, 
light red, smooth, with a few straight spines near the 
base, and an occasional hooked one on the upper portion. 
The plant produces no suckers from its lateral roots, but 
propagates from the tips of the canes, the same as the 
Purple Cane. New, not thoroughly tested at the East, 
but considered as a very valuable variety in the locality 
where it originated. Found in 1856, by Mr. J. E. John- 
son, growing on the Ellisdale farm, in Pottawatomie 
County, Iowa. The stock was placed in the hands of 
H. A. Terry, of Crescent City, Iowa, for propagation and 
dissemination. 

Gardinere — A very large, coarse growing sort, with 
large, dark, dull red, poor flavored fruit. I tested a few 
plants when it was first sent out, some fifteen years ago, 
and then dug them up. I am inclined to think that it 
received no better treatment from other growers, as it ap- 
pears to have dropped out of sight and cultivation. 

Ganarqua. — This is another variety of the Grardiner 
class, and having had a brief notoriety is passing out of 
cultivation. The fruit is rather large, well flavored, and 
attractive in appearance. This was claimed to be a hybrid 
when first disseminated. 

Purple Cane. {American Red Cane.) — Medium, or 
small, roundish, dark dull red, with bloom; grains large, 
soft, sweet, very good ; canes very strong ; growing eight 



156 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



to twelve feet long, smooth, with a few straight spines at 
the base, and a few hooked spines above ; vigorons and 
productive, fruit good for home use, but too soft for 
market. This variety has been in cultivation in the vicin- 
ity of New York for at least fifty years. Propagates from 
the tips of the young canes, and produces no suckers. 

Philadelphia. — Medium to large, globular, dark red, 
scarcely any bloom, moderately firm, sub-acid, not rich, 




Fig. 67,— PHILADELPHIA. 

nor very juicy; grains large, adhere more firmly than those 
of the Purple Cane; canes erect, strong, and stocky, dark 
red or purple, branching ; spines very small, straight, and 
scattering, almost spineless; leaves large, dark green above, 
lighter beneath, very thick and tough, have a peculiar 
wavy appearance on the upper side, finely serrated. 



RASPBERRY. 157 

Figure 66 shows the general form of the leaf, and figure 
67, a cluster of fruit of the average size under common 
field culture. The canes do not bend over and root from 
the tips, like the Purple Cane, but produce suckers, 
although rather sparingly ; very hardy and wonderfully 
productive. Found growing within the present limits of 
the City of Philadelphia, some thirty or more years ago. 
It has lately become very popular as a market variety, and 
for some soils and locations is unexcelled. This is par- 
ticularly the case in the sandy soils of New Jersey, where 
all of the finest foreign varieties fail, and no amount of 
care will enable the growers to secure a remunerative 
crop. It has been widely disseminated in the past few 
years, and very favorable reports are being received from 
all parts of the country in regard to its hardiness and 
productiveness. 

Reliance* — This is said to be a seedling of the Phila- 
delphia, and resembles its parent, but, as usual, it is 
claimed to be far superior. I have not seen it, therefore 
cannot speak from experience as to its value, but those 
who saw this variety when exhibited a few years ago at 
Philadelphia, speak of it as strongly resembling its parent, 
the Philadelphia, with the same dull color. 

Class 3. — Varieties of Rubus strigosus. 

{Wild Bed Raspberry.) 

The common Wild Red Raspberry of our country pos- 
sesses many valuable qualities, even in its normal state, 
as every boy in the rural districts knows. Yfithout any 
thought of varieties, he is aware that a certain locality, 
the bushes along a certain road, for example, give 
him better fruit than he can find elsewhere. But 
to produce new and improved varieties from it has 



158 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



seldom been attempted, because foreign kinds were at 
hand that apparently possessed qualities superior to our 
own ; consequently we have very few native kinds worthy 
of cultivation. This is certainly to be regretted ; inas- 
much as the foreign va- 
rieties are usually ten- 
der, wliile our native 
kinds are quite haidy, 
and there can scarcely 
be a doubt that if the 
same persistent efforts 
had been put forth to 
improve them, as have 
been expended upon the 
foreign sorts, we Avould 
now have varieties of 
the native species far 
superior to any that Ave 
have obtained from 
abroad. 

The variableness of 
the Jiubus strigosus is 
worthy of being particu- 
larly noticed by those 
who may attempt its im- 
Fig. 68, — STEM OF WILD RED. provcmcut. Some of the 

wild varieties produce an immense number of suckers, 
others but very few. Some have very smooth canes, 
others are covered with close set sjDines or bristly 
hairs, as shown in figure 68. The fruit is also variable 
in color, from a dark red to a light bright crimson ; 
globular or conical in shape, and of medium size. Figure 
69 shows a fruit of about the average size when grown 
in good soil. 

Figure 63 shows a fruit branch when coming into bloom, 
and figure 64, a leaf, both somewhat reduced in size. The 




KASPBERRY. 159 

leaves are bright green and whitish-tlowny underneath, 
but not so much so as in some of the foreisfu varieties. 

Allen's Red Prolific. — ^I^leclium, globular, light crim- 
son, separates freely from the core, juicy, but mild 
flavor ; canes strong, erect, reddish purple when mature ; 




Fig. 69. — FRUIT OF WILD RED. 

spines white, long, slender, very few and scattering ; leaves 
thin, oblong, pointed, evenly serrated, not toothed. Not 
very prolific, and produces suckers rather freely, but not 
so abundant as the next. 

Allen's Antwerp. — Similar in size, shape, color and 



160 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



quality to the last, the leaves deeply serrated or toothed, 
and of more substance ; spines very numerous, and of a 




Fig. 70. — FLOWERING STEM OF WILB RED. 



reddish-purple color. Both this and the preceding variety 
were sent out by L. F. Allen, Black Rock, N. Y., about 



RASPBERRY. 



161 



ten years ago, but they have been placed on the rejected 




Fig. 71. — LEAP OF WILD RED. 

list by the American Pomological Society, and almost uni- 



162 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

versally discarded by fruit growers. Tliey were not 
claimed to be seedlings by Mr. Allen, but merely acci- 
dental varieties of the wild Red Raspberry of his locality. 
I have been more particular in giving them a description, 
because it is very probable that they will again be brought 
forward by other parties as new and valuable varieties. 

Brandy wine. {Susqueco. Wilmmgton.) — Medium to 
large ; round ; bright scarlet ; firm, and of agreeable 
flavor ; canes stocky, but rather short, of a reddish color, 
bearing a few light-colored spines or prickles ; plants 
productive, and very hardy. An excellent market variety, 
but because of its rather dwarfish growth it requires a 
strong, rich soil. Origin unknown, but supposed to have 
been found near Wilmington, Del. 

Cutlibert. {Queen of the Market.)— ^liM^ge ; roundish- 
conical ; bright red ; firm, but juicy, with a sprightly, 
agreeable flavor ; canes strong ajid stocky, well beset 
with small straight prickles ; leaves firm, dark green, 
and resisting the hot sun as well as any of our native 
sorts. Very hardy and productive, and altogether one of 
the very best of our native red Raspberries. Originated 
in the grounds of the late Thomas Outhbert, at Riverdale, 
N. J., and disseminated by Mr. I. J. Simonson, of Staten 
Island, to whom I am indebted for plants, kindly sent me 
several years ago. It has been suggested that the Outh- 
bert is a chance seedling of the Hudson River Antwerp ; 
I can see no evidence of any such parentage, but believe 
it to be a true and pure Ruhus strigosus. 

Kirtland. — Medium ; nearly round ; light bright-crim- 
son ; separates freely from the receptacle ; moderately 
firm, sweet, of the same flavor as the wild Red ; canes 
very erect, nearly smooth, pale red at maturity ; produces 
a large number of suckers, quite productive, and the 
earliest of the class. The canes are also quite hardy. One 
of the best of the native varieties. Originated with Prof. 
J. P. Kirtland, Cleveland, Ohio. 



RASPBERIIY. 163 

Class 4. — FoREiGiq" Varieties akd Their Seedlii^gs. 

The greater part of the following kinds belong to the 
foreign species (Ricbus IdcBus), but many of them origi- 
nated in this country from seed of the foreign varieties. 

The fact of their being produced here does not make 
them any the less or more valuable than those imported, 
although it will be conceded by most of our fruit growers 
that some of the varieties raised in this country are equal, 
if not far superior, to any that have been obtained from 
abroad. As a class, the varieties of the R. Idmus are 
larger and better flavored than those of our native spe- 
cies, R. strigosus, but there are very few of them that 
are hardy in the Northern States, and their leaves burn 
more or less at the South. 

Antwerp Red. {True Red Antwerp, Old Red Anhverp, 
Knevett's Aniiuerp, HoiolaruVs Antwerp, Burleifs Ant- 
werp, English A^itiverp.) — Fruit large, nearly globular, 
dark red, with bloom ; grains large ; juicy, sprightly 
flavor ; canes strong and tall ; spines light red and nu- 
merous. An old variety seldom cultivated at the present 
time, as it has been superseded by the following : 

Antwerp. {Hudson River, Neio Red Antwerp.^ — 
Large, nearly conical, firm, of a pleasant, sweet, but 
sprightly flavor; canes short, stocky growth, with few 
spines ; the bark on the mature canes is of a peculiar 
grayish color ; very productive, but requires winter pro- 
tection. This is the great market berry which is so ex- 
tensively cultivated in the eastern portion of the State of 
New York. Origin unknown, but supposed to have 
been procured in England, and brought to this country 
fifty years ago by Mr. Briggs, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 

Antwerp Yellow. ( White Antioerp, Double Bearing 
Yelloiv. — Large, conical, pale yellow, sweet, but not high 
flavored ; canes strong and vigorous, light yellow ; the 



164 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



leaves are pale green ; spines long, slender, wliite, on 
some canes very numerous, but scarcely any on others. 
Eather more liardy than the red, but not sufficiently so 
to omit protecting. Of European origin, and but little 
cultivated, as it is not so productive or good as some 
others of a similar color. 

Barnet* {Lord Exmoutli, Large Red, CornwalVs 
SeedU7igs, Cor^iwalVs Prolific, Barnefs Antwerp.) — 
Large, obtuse-conical, bright purplish-red, sprightly, 
pleasant flavor; canes tall, very branching, yellowish 
green. An old English variety of little value. 

Brentford Cane. — Small to medium, obtuse-conical, 
dark red, inferior flavor. An old English variety of 
little or no value. Placed among the inferior varieties 
in the nurserymen's catalogues of forty years ago. 

Belle dc Fcntenay . (Amazon. ) — Very large, irregular, 
long-conical, deep crimson, with a thin bloom, 
separates freely from the core, moderately firm, 
rather acid, but good ; canes very 
strong and stocky, branching ; leaves 
thick, dark green above and silvery- 
"white beneath ; spines reddish-purple, 
short and stiff ; very hardy and pro- 
ductive. Produces a second crop in 
autumn ; the best of the autumn- 
bearing varieties. It produces a 
great number of suckers, the larger 
portion of which should be removed 
as soon as they appear to insure a 
good crop of fruit. This has fre- 
quently been confounded with Mer- 
vielle des quartre Saisons, but it is distinct. Originated 
in France. Figure 72 represents a berry of this variety 
rather below the average size which it attains under or- 
dinary culture. It is very probable that the engraver 




Fig. 72.— BELLE DE 
FONTENAY. 



RASPBERBY. 



165 




Fig. 73.— BELLE DE PALLUAU. 



has rather reduced than enlarged the ilhistration of spec- 
imens placed in his hands. 

Brinckle's Orange. — Sec Orange. 

MrliilgtOll* — Large ; same color as the Red Antwerp. 
Originated by the late Benjamin Prosser, of Burlington, 
New Jersey. 

Belle de Palluaii. — (Fig. 73.) — Very large; obtuse- 
conical ; grains large, regular ; light bright crimson, 

separates freely from 
the core, sab-acid, juicy, 
yery good, moderately 
firm; canes very strong; 
spines short, purple, not 
>ji,.u Ji^^iiiiii'aii^ very numerous ; leaves 

medium, deep green ; 
lobes broadly ovate ; 
serratures very regular 
and sharp j)ointed; very productive, and will probably 
become a valuable market variety. Requires protection 
in winter. From France. 

Clarke. — (Fig. 74.) — Large; roundish-conical; light 
crimson ; grains medium ; very sweet, rich, and high 
flavored ; parts freely from the 
core ; moderately firm ; canes 
very strong and stocky, erect, 
more or less branching ; spines 
white, the ends slightly colored, 
rigid, numerous at the base of the 
canes, scattering, and few above ; 
leaves very large, thick, rather 
flat, deep green above, and silvery 
white beneath, coarsely and un- 
evenly serrate ; very productive ; 
moderately hardy. Raised from seed by E. E. Clarke, 
New Haven, Conn., in 185G. 




CLAKKE. 



166 SMALL FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

Cretan Red. — Small ; conical ; crimson or deep red ; 
sub-acid, poor flavor, not very productive. A very old 
foreign variety. Placed on the rejected list by the 
American Pomological Society. 

Cope. — Large ; obtuse-conical ; light crimson ; parts 
freely from the core ; rather firm, sweet, and good ; canes 
moderately strong ; spines purple, short, and numerous ; 
productive, but not equal to some other varieties. Origi- 
nated with the late Dr. Wni. D. Brinckle, of Philadel- 
phia, Pa., to whom we are also indebted for many valu- 
able varieties of the Raspberry. 

Col. WIMer. — Large ; roundish-conical ; yellowish white 
or cream color ; very sweet, juicy, and good, but rather 
soft ; canes strong and vigorous ; spines white ; leaves 
dark green, somewhat crimped or wavy. Raised from the 
Pastolff by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of Marshall 
P. Wilder, the distinguished pomologist of Boston, Mass. 

Cushin^. — Largo ; roundish-conical ; light crimson ; 
yery regular in form ; grains small, compact ; separates 
freely from the core ; juicy, sprightly flavor, and good ; 
spines brownish-purple, stiif, and rather numerous ; 
leaves large and thin, irregularly and coarsely serrated or 
toothed ; moderately vigorous and productive. Raised 
by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of J. P. Gushing, 
of Watertown, Mass. 

Cutbush's Prince of Wales. — Large ; very regular ; ob- 
tuse-conical ; light crimson ; rather dry, sub-acid flavor ; 
canes strong and vigorous ; spines purple, long, and 
slender, numerous ; productive. An English variety of 
no particular value, as many others are far better. 

Dowble Bearing, — An old variety, which has been dis- 
carded by the American Pomological Societ}^ 

Downing. — Large ; regular, conical ; grains medium ; 
bright crimson ; juicy, sweet, and rich ; firm, parts freely 
from the core ; canes strong, erect ; spines very short and 



RASPBEHRY. 1G7 

stout, pale green ; leaves very large, deep green, nearly 
flat when fully developed ; quite productive. A good 
market variety. Recpiires protection in winter the same 
as the Antwerp. A seedling of the Orange, raised by 
Charles Downing, IN'ewburgh, N. Y., who has no plants 
of any kind for sale. 

Duhring. — Large ; roundish-conical ; bright red ; firm, 
rich, and excellent flavor. A strong and vigorous grower, 
and said to be very productive and hardy. New ; not 
fully tested. Supposed to be a seedling of the Hornet. 
Originated on the grounds of Henry Duhring, Esq., Bel- 
mont, near Philadelphia, Pa. 

Emily. — Large ; roundish-conical ; pale yellow ; sj^ines 
white ; vigorous and productive. One of Dr. Brinckle's 
seedlings, which proved unworthy of dissemination. 

Fastolff. — Large ; obtuse, or roundish-conical ; crim- 
son ; grains large, soft, sweet, and rich ; one of the best 
in flavor ; adheres so firmly to the core that the berries 
are often broken in picking ; canes moderately strong and 
rather crooked ; spines purple, stiff, and quite numerous ; 
very productive. An excellent variety for home use, but 
too soft for market. An old English variety ; its name 
said to be from an old castle in Great Yarmouth, England. 

Fillbasket. {Nortliuniberland Fill- 
hasket.) — Large ; obtuse - conical ; 
crimson ; grains large, with thin 
bloom ; firm, sweet, not very juicy, 
but good ; canes strong, with purp- 
lish S2:>ines, which are quite abund- 
ant on the entire length of the cane; 
leaves large, thick, not so deep green 
as some ; the leaflets broadly ovate ; 
quite productive. An English varie- 
ty, introduced about ten years since. ^'»- 75.— franconia. 

Fraucouia* {Yig.^b.)— Naomi. — Large; obtuse-coni- 




168 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

cal ; dark purplish-red, or crimson ; firm, with a rich, 
sprightly flavor ; canes strong, branching ; spines purple, 
stout, scattering ; leaves large, deep green, rather flat 
when fully developed. A valuable market variety. Re- 
quires protection in winter. 

French* ( Vice Ff^esideut French. ) — Medium to large ; 
obtuse-conical ; crimson ; grains large ; firm, sweet, rich, 
and excellent ; one of the best ; canes very strong, erect ; 
spines purple, stout, and numerous ; very productive. 
A valuable variety. Supposed to be a seedling of the Fas- 
tolff. Raised by Dr. Brinckle, and named in honor of B. 
V. French, Vice President of the Mass. Horticultural Soc. 

FultoUi — A large, crimson variety, raised by Dr. Brmc- 
kle. Probably lost, as nothing has been heard of it lately. 

General Patterson. — Large ; round ; crimson ; adheres 
firmly to the core. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings. 

Ilerstine's Seedlins^s. — The late D. W. Herstine, of 
Philadelphia, raised a large number of seedling Rasp- 
berries, and as some of them gave promise of excellence, 
he invited several prominent horticulturists of New York, 
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, to visit his grounds and 
examine the ]3lants while in bearing and full of fruit. 
The invited gentlemen responded to the request of Mr. 
Herstine, and visited his grounds on July 6th, 1870. 
Mr. Herstine had not performed any of the usual opera- 
tions of crossing or hybridizing, in order to produce these 
varieties, but merely gathered seeds from what was said 
to be the Allen, growing near the Philadelphia, as well as 
some of the foreign varieties. He thought that his seed- 
lings were a cross between the Allen and Philadelphia, 
but, as time has shown, this was doubtless an error, at 
least so far as relates to the parentage of the varieties 
selected and sent out as ^'Herstine's Seedlings." The 
four varieties selected and described at the date named, 
are here given, instead of distributing them in alphabeti- 



KASPBEBRY. 169 

cal order. I will add that there is an unnamed seedlinsr 
of Mr. Herstine's in cultivation in several gardens in 
Bergen Co., which has the appearance of being a cross 
between the Allen and the Philadelphia. I received a few 
plants of it from Mr. Herstine, in 187^, labelled '^Hers- 
tine's 0.," and the j)lants have been distributed among 
my neighbors, some of whom prize it highly as a market 
Tariety. Canes are red, quite distinct. Fruit of good 
size, and of a bright crimson color. 

Herstine. — Plant vigorous ; an early and abundant 
bearer ; canes strong, of a light color, covered with a 
whitish bloom ; spines green, but not abundant ; foliage 
abundant, of a light green color ; fruit large ; conical, 
with small grains, and of a crimson color ; flavor sub- 
acid, but good. This is the best of the four sorts dis- 
seminated by Mr. Herstine. 

Elizabeth* — A strong grower, and productive in favor- 
able soils and localities ; canes green, with some purple 
shadings ; spines small, but very numerous ; leaves light 
green, and quite large ; fruit very large, nearly globular, 
and of a bright crimson color ; grains large ; flavor ex- 
cellent. 

Ruby. — A free grower ; canes moderately vigorous ; 
spines few, and small ; leaves large, light green, whitish 
underneath ; fruit of good size ; nearly round ; dark 
crimson ; grains large ; quality good. 

Saunders. — Moderately vigorous and productive, pro- 
ducing a large number of suckers ; canes green, with a 
shade of purple ; spines abundant ; leaves large, and of 
good substance ; light green ; fruit large ; globular ; of a 
crimson color ; quality excellent. 

^uch was expected of the Herstine Easpberries, when 
first disseminated, but they seem to have failed in most 
localities. The first, or Herstine, is now considered the 
best of the four. 
8 




170 SMALL ERUIT CULTURIST. 

Hornet. — ^Very large ; conical ; deep crimson ; grains 
yariable in size, juicy, sub-acid, good ; moderately firm ; 

canes very strong, erect ; spines 
short, purplish ; fruit stems 
very long ; productive, and 
promises to be a good market 
variety. Originated in France, 
with M. Souchet, of Bagnolet, 
near Paris. 

Huntsmau's Giant.— In size, 
shape, and quality, very similar 
to the Franco nia, but the canes 

Fio;. 76.— HORNET. i j n J 1 

grow much taller, and when 
fully mature have a peculiar grayish-white bark. A 
seedling of the Franconia, very productive, and continues 
a long time in fruit. Eaised by Prof. T. W. Huntsman, 
Flushing, N. Y. 

Imperial. — This is another French variety resembling 
the Hornet. 

Jouet. — Medium to large ; light pale yellow ; canes 
feeble ; spines very numerous ; nearly white. Not worth 
cultivating, as we have several others of the same color 
which are far superior to it in every respect. 

Kncvet's Giant. — Large, or very large ; globular ; light 
crimson ; adheres rather firmly to the core ; juicy and 
good ; canes very strong ; spines short, purplish, very few, 
and scatteriug ; very productive. An English variety of 
considerable merit. 

Laiige Fruited Montlily. {Rivers' New Monthly.)— 
Medium to large ; roundish-conical ; crimson ; soft, sweet, 
and juicy, good ; canes strong ; spines red, stout. Some- 
times it produces a very fair crop, but not equal to Belle 
de Fontenay for a late one. Kaised by Thomas Rivers, 
Sawbridgewcrth, England. 
Magnum Bonum. — Very similar, if not the same as the 



RASPBEKEY. 171 

Yellow Antwerp. Introduced from England many years 
ago. 

Merveille de Quatre Saisons. {Marvel of the Four 
Seasons. ) — Medium to large ; obtuse-conical ; crimson ; 
soft, sweet, and good ; canes erect, rather slender ; spines 
purple, sliort, and quite numerous ; leaves flat, pale green 
underneath, and not so dark green above as the Belle de 
Fontenay, which is often sold for this variety. The 
leaves are finely and evenly serrated. Very hardy, and 
produces an immense number of suckers. There is a va- 
riety with yellow fruit, but very unproductive. 

Montclair. — Medium to large ; globular ; grains large ; 
dark, and rather dull red when fully ripe ; firm, and 
somewhat brittle ; sub-acid, not rich, but would be called 
good ; canes strong, vigorous, branching ; leaves dark 
green, and of good substance ; productive and hardy. 
Originated with E. & J. 0. Williams, Montclair, N. J. 

Orange. {Brmckle's Orange. ) — Large ; obtuse-conical ; 
orange ; sweet, rich, and delicious flavor ; canes strong, 
with small, white spines ; plant vigorous, and very pro- 
ductive. This is one of the best varieties in cultivation. 
Plant requires protection in winter. Originated by the 
late Dr. Brinckle, in 1845. 

Pilate. — Large ; long-conical ; grains small, compact ; 
dark red ; firm, juicy, sub-acid, only passably good ; canes 
not very vigorous ; spines numerous, purplish red ; pro- 
ductive. A French variety, highly extolled, but inferior 
to many of those produced in this country. 

Rivers' Seedlings.— Mr. Thomas Eivers, the late veteran 
pomologist of England, paid considerable attention to the 
Raspberry, and has produced many hundreds of seedlings. 
Some of them have reached this country, but there ap- 
pears to be considerable confusion in regard to their iden- 
tity and names. The one known as Rivers' Black Rasp- 
berry does not belong to the Black Raspberry family of this 
country. It is a dark purple fruit, with a white bloom. 



172 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

rather soft, of peculiar rich flavor, but not particularly 
valuable. Another, received under the name of Kivers' 
Seedling, is a large, roundish-conical berry, deep crimson, 
with a thin bloom, quite acid and not rich; canes very 
vigorous, branching, of a reddish color, spines purple, short, 
and very strong; produces very few suckers. Perfectly 
hardy and very productive ; will probably be a good mar- 
ket variety. Mr. Kivers exhibited a new variety at one of 
the Horticultural shows in England a few years since, 
which he claimed to be a hybrid between the Raspberry 
and Blackberry, but I am not aware of its success. 

Russell's Red Raspberry. — Large, roundish-conical, 
dark red, moderately firm, juicy, sweet and good; canes 
strong, erect ; spines white, straight, few and scattering. 
Supposed to be hybrid between the Purple Cane and White 
Antwerp ; very hardy and productive ; propagated by 
suckers. Originated in the garden 
of Dr. G. W. Russell, Hartford, 
Conn., and named by the Hartford 
Co. Horticultural Soc, in 18.58. 

Souchettii. {White Transpar- 
ent.) — (Fig. 77.) — Large, conical, 
somewhat irregular in form ; pale 
yellow, firm but juicy, sweet and 
very good; canes vigorous; spines 
nearly white and few; leaves large 
and wavy, thin, light green. A pro- Fig. 77. -souchettii. 
ductive variety, raised by Mr. Souchet. 

Semper Fidelis. — Large, irregular-conical, dull crimson, 
rather firm and dry, sub-acid ; second rate in quality ; canes 
strong, spines purple, short and stiff', numerous; leaves 
large, evenly serrated ; very productive. A new variety 
from England, where it is highly extolled. 

Walker. — Large, round, deep crimson, soft, juicy, 
sprightly flavor, good ; canes strong with a few stiff*, pur- 




RASrBEERY. 173 

j)lisli spines; very productive. One of Dr. Brinckle's 
Reedlings. 

Yellow Chilli — Large, conical, pale yellow, slightly 
tinged with orange, very soft, sweet and juicy; canes 
strong, branching, spines long, slender, white. A French 
variety which I received about ten years since. Not valu- 
able, and inferior to several others of similar color. 

Miscellaneous Varieties. — The following list comprises 
the new and old varieties of which little is known at the 
present time. Some of them have been merely announced 
in the nurserymen's catalogues, or in some of the various 
Horticultural Journals, while others are old foreign varie- 
ties that have been superseded by better kinds. I have 
added whatever information I possessed in regard to each. 
Plants of some of the new ones have been received, but not 
tested, consequently I cannot give a description, nor de- 
cide upon their merits : 

Bromley Hill. — An old, red, English variety, of fair 
quality, but not productive. 

Beehive. — Large red. (Prince's Catalogue, 1844.) 

Cornish* — An old discarded English variety. 

Chili Monthly. — An old foreign variety. 

Cox's Honey. — An old white variety. 

Early Prolific. — Poor flavor; an old variety from 
England. 

Jillards's Seedling. — An English variety of very good 
quality. 

Keystone. — Originated with A. L. Felton, Philadelphia, 
Pa. Described as very large, crimson. An excellent 
variety, although the canes are tender. 

LongWOrth.- "Large, round, deep crimson. One of Dr. 
Brinckle's seedlings. 

Mrs. In^ersoll. — Large, yellow, of fair quality. Raised 
by Dr. Brinckle. 



174 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

Mrs. Wilder. — A seedling of the Colonel Wilder, simi 
lar in color. Named by Dr. Brinckle. 

Mote's Seedling. — New, from Ohio, of the Euhus Oo 
cidcntalls species. 

IVottingham Scarlet.— Rejected by the American Po- 
jaological Society. 

New Everbearing. — Noticed in tlie Proceedings of the 
Cincinnati Horticultural Society, Dec, 1861. 

Princess Alice. — A new,English variety, raised by Cut- 
bush <fc Son, Highgate, England. 

Richardson. — Noticed in Gardeners' Monthly, 1862, 
p. 339. 

St. Louis. — ^Fruit large, bright red, sweet, and of the 
best Raspberry flavor; plant hardy. — Coleman's Rural 
World. 

Surpasse Merveille. — Seedling of the Old Merveille des 
Quartre Saisons, yellow, same color and habit, but said to 
be superior to its parent ; new. Raised by Simon Louis. 
Announced in the French Catalogues, in 18G2. 

Spring Grove. — Very prolific but poor flavor. An old 
foreign variety. 

Superb. — A poor flavored, old, foreign variety. 

Superb d'Angleterre.— Large, red. Andre Leroy's 
Catalogue, 1862. 

Taylor's Paragon. — Poor flavor, old. Discarded 
European variety. 

Wilmot's Early Red. — -An old English variety, of small 
size, deep red, and poor quality. 

Woodward's Red Globe.— Small, red, poor flavor; old. 
Cultivated in England about forty years ago. 

Woodward. — Small, round, crimson; very early; spines 
red. One of Dr. Brinckle's seedlings. 

Selectiok of Foreign" Varieties. — For family use, 
where they will succeed, I would select the following 
varieties : Brinckle's Orange, Clarke, Franconia, Fastolft', 
and French. 



RASPBERRY. 175 

1N"ative Varieties. — For a few hardy native varieties, 
likely to succeed in light as well as heavy soils, and over 
a wide range of country, I would name among the bright 
red sorts : Outhbert and Turner ; for a yellow, Carohne ; 
for i^urple or dark red, Eeliance and Philadelphia ; and 
for black, Doolittle and G-regg. 

For Market. — Hudson River Antwerp, Franconia, for 
particular locations ; and where these do not succeed, 
Cuthbert. Turner, Wilmington, and almost any of the 
score of Black-caps in cultivation. The Davison's Thorn- 
less, and Doolittle, are the earliest, and McCormick and 
Gregg the latest and largest. 



CHAPTER IV. 



BLACKBERRY. 

RUBUS.— Bramble. 

The Blackberry belongs to the same family and genus 
as the Raspberry. The fruit in this case is a collective 
mass of drupes attached to the juicy receptacle — not 
separating as in the Raspberry, but falling off whole. In 
form, the berries are mostly ovate or oblong, brown or 
blackish, occasionally yellowish- white. 

There are about one hundred and fifty species of the 
Blackberry known to botanists, and, like the Raspberry, 
they are distributed over a greater portion of the world. 

Few of the species possess any particular merit worthy 
of the attention of fruit growers of the present time, con- 
sequently I shall confine myself mainly to the indigenous 
species and their varieties. The following six species are 
natives of the United States : 

Rubus villOSUS. — Common High Blackberry. — Stems 
shrubby, two to eight feet high, furrowed, upright or re- 
clining, armed with stout curved prickles ; lower surface 
of the leaves hairy and glandular ; leaflets three or pe- 
dately five, ovate, pointed, unequally serrate ; plant raria- 
176 



BLACKBERRY. 



177 



Ex 



~->^ 



able in size and in its general appearance. Figure 78 
shows a section of the stem of the well known New Ro- 

chelle Bhickberry, which is a variety of 

this species. 

R. Canadensis. — Low Blackberry, 
Dewberry. — Shrubby, trailing slightly, 
prickly; leaflets three or pedately five to 
seven, oval or ovate-lanceolate, mostly 
pointed, thin, nearly smooth ; flowers in 
racemes with leaf-like bracts ; fruit mostly 
round, with large grains, sweet and 
pleasant flavor, ripens earlier tlian J?. Yilr 
losus. Very common in dry sandy soils. 

R. hispidus* — Running Swamp Black- 
berry. — Stems slender, shrubby, mostly 
trailing, with numerous, small, reflexed 
prickles ; leaflets three, rarely five, smooth, 
obovate, coarsely serrate, entire toward 
the base ; flower small, borne on a leafless 
l)eduncle; fruit purple or shining black, 
grains large and few; generally very 
acid. Common in the Northern States, 
in low, damp woods. 
R, cuneifolius. — Sand Blackberry. — One to three feet 

high, shrubby, upright, armed with stout, recurved prickles; 

branchlets and lower surface of the leaf, whitish, woolly ; 

leaflets three to five, wedge-obovate, tliickish, serrate above ; 

peduncles two to four flowered ; petals large ; fruit medium 

size, of good flavoi*, black, ripens late. Common in New 

Jersey and southward, in sandy soils. 

R. trivialis. — Low Bush Blackberry. — Stems shrubby, 
trailing, bristly and prickly ; leaves evergreen, coriaceous, 
nearly glabrous ; leaflets three or pedately five, ovate- 
oblong, or lanceolate, sharply serrate, peduncles one to 
three flowered. Sandy soils, from Virginia southward. 
8 



Fis:. 78, 



178 



SMALL FRUIT CULTTJEIST. 



R. spectablis. — Flowers solitary, of a beautiful purple 
color ; stems without prickles. Native of northwest 
coast of America, on the banks of the Columbia River. 

R* fruticosuSi — Stems straggling, arched, angular and 
rather tomentose; prickles recurved, fruit dark purple 




Fig. 79. — EUROPEAN liLACKBEKRY. 

with a peculiar mawkish flavor. Common European Black- 
berry or Bramble. 

There are several species of the Blackberry found in 
South America, West Indies, and Mexico, but we have no 
cultivated varieties of them, neither do they possess any 
qualities superior to those found in the United States. 

Very little attention is paid to the cultivation of this 



BLACKBERRY. 179 

fruit except in this country, consequently we have no su« 
perior foreign varieties, nor can we find any practical in- 
fonnation in regard to their cultivation, in any European 
work on gardening. The Blackberry has no separate his- 
tory from that of the Raspberry, as they are both called 
£ra7nbles in the old works ; and it is evident that it has 
never been considered worthy of any S23ecial care in any 
country except our own. 

Cnltivation, Propagation, &c. — The same method of 
cultivation recommended for the Raspberry is also appli- 
cable to the Blackberry. In selecting a soil, a rather dry 
one is preferable to one that is very moist or wet ; neither 
should the soil be as rich as for the Raspberry, because 
the varieties generally cultivated are large, coarse growing 
plants, and if the soil is too rich the canes will grow very 
large and succulent, and will neither be so hardy nor pro- 
ductive as those of a moderate growth. It is also a good 
plan to pinch off the terminal shoots the last of August or 
first of September, to check the growth, and cause the 
canes to more fully ripen than if allowed to grow undis- 
turbed. The plants should also be given more room than 
the Raspberry, as they usually grow more branching and 
make larger stools. The rows should be at least six feet 
apart, and eight would be still better for the larger grow- 
ing kinds. Staking the plants may be dispensed with if 
they are severely pruned so as to enable them to sustain 
ihe fruit. Many cultivators, however, always stake and 
tie up their plants, or build cheap trellises with posts and 
wire to which the canes are fastened in the spring at the 
time of pruning. It would be better to take out the old 
bearing canes soon after the fruit is gathered, but this 
would make it necessary to go over the plants twice, while 
if the old canes can be cut out and the young ones pruned 
at the same time, considerable labor is saved. One annual 
pruning is the usual method, choosing the early spring for 
performing this operation. For taking o it the old canes a 



180 



SMALL FRUIT CTTLTURIST. 



pair of shears with long handles (Fig. 80) is used, cutting 

them as near to tbe ground as 
possible. A simple and equally ef- 
cient pruning implement is made 
by attaching a hooked knife to a 
handle of convenient length, as 
shown in fig. 81. The manner of 
using it is sufficiently ob- 
vious. The young canes 
should be headed back to 
four or five feet, and the 
lateral branches to a foot 
or ei2:hteen inches. If too 
many suckers have grown, 
so that they arc likely to 
crowd, then remove a por- 
tion of them, as directed 
for the Raspberry. All va- 
rieties of the Blackberry 
produce suckers very free- 
ly, and, unless they are 
Avanted, all should be destroyed 
as soon as they appear, except those 
reserved for next season's crop. 
The Blackberry may be propagated as directed for 

the Raspberry, cuttings of the roots usually making the 

best plants. 

VAKIETIES. 




Fig. 81. 



Fig. 80. 



Cut-Leaved. — Fruit roundish, black, grains large, sweet, 
with a slightly musky flavor ; borne in loose panicles, 
stems nearly round, more or less trailing, fertile ones 
erect ; prickles small at the base, but recurved and strong 
above, very numerous ; leaves dissected and sharply serrate, 
as show^n in figure 82 ; flowers white or rose color. A 



BLACKBERRY. 



181 



variety of the European Blackberry, H. frutlcosus, and 
is found in the Catalogues as H. laciniatus, and also as 
the Parsley-leaved Bladvberry. It has been sparingly 




"Fig. 82.— CPT-LEAVED BLACKBERRT. 



cultivated in Europe for many years, also in this country 
for twenty years or more. It is scarcely worth growing, 
except as a curiosity. 



182 



SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 



Cumberland.— Medium size, black, sweet and good, 
quite early, and matures the whole crop in a comparatively 




Fig. 83. — LEAF OP DORCHESTER. 

short time; plant quite hardy and productive. This 
variety is largely cultivated by J. Cox, of Bridgeton, N. J., 
and but little known elsewhere. 



BLACKBERRY. 183 

Cape May. — Very large, sweet, but quite soft, black 
when first ripe, but soon changes to a dull red. A very- 
good variety for home use, but too tender for market. 

Dorchester. — Fruit large, oblong, oval, slightly pointed, 
black, sweet, rich and excellent, with considerable of the 
wild Blackberry flavor ; leaves broad, oval, with a sharp 
point, as shown in figure 83 ; ripens early, and the berries 
quite firm. An excellent market variety. The canes are 
very vigorous, and usually quite hardy. Not so produc- 
tive as some, but sufficiently so to make it worthy of ex- 
tensive cultivation. Introduced to public notice by the 
late Josiah Lovett, of Beverly, Mass., in 1850 ; he having 
procured the plants of a gentleman in Dorchester, Mass., 
about 1842. 

Felton. — Very large, long, slightly conical, sweet and 
good; the berries often very defective; ripens early; 
rather of a spreading growth, and not so upright and com- 
pact as some. This was at one time supposed to be the 
same as the Wilson's Early, but it has lately been decided 
by several gentleman of Southern New Jersey, who are 
familiar with both varieties, that it is distinct, and not 
equal to the Wilson's Early in productiveness. Intro- 
duced a few years since by Oscar F. Felton, of Camden, 
New Jersey. 

llolcoml). — Large, roundish- oval, black, sweet, rich and 
excellent ; plant strong, vigorous and productive, similar to 
the Dorchester in size and productiveness, commencing 
^o ripen about the same time, and continues in fruit for 
several weeks. Introduced to public notice by E. A. Hoi- 
comb, of Granby, Conn., in 1855. 

Kittatinny. — Large to very large, slightly conical, deep 
shining black, moderately firm, sweet, rich and excellent, ; 
figure 84 is a fair representation of a well grown cluster ; 
leaves ovate, with rather a long point, as shown in figure 



184 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 




Fig. 84.— KITTATINNT. 



BLACKBERRY. 



185 



85, finely and unevenly serrate; plant a strong and vio^or- 
ous <a-ower, and very productive. The fruit begins to ripen 




Fig. 85.— LEAF OF KITTATrNNT. 

a few days earlier than the New Rochelle, and continues 
for four or five weeks. This is an old variety, although 
8* 



186 



SMALL FRUIT CTJLT'JRIST. 



L\^\ 



new to tlie public, as it was not extensively disseminated 
until last year, but, so far as known, it is very hardy, and 
promises to be one of the very best varieties known. 
Found, about twenty years ago, by a Mr. Wolverton, 
growing wild in the woods near the Kittatinny Moun> 
tains, in Warren County, New Jersey. 

New Rochelle. {Seacor's Mammoth, Zawton.) — Yery 
large, irregular, roundisli-oval, black, very juicy, and mod- 
erately sweet when fully rii)e, but it does not reach this 
point until several days after the fruit has become black, 
at which time it is very soft. A strong and vigorous 
grower, and very productive. Tiie fruit commences ripen- 
ing rather late, and continues for a long time, 
and unless the soil is naturally moist, or the 
ground covered with a mulch, many of the 
late berries will fdl to come to maturity. 
The cartes are also rather tender, often win- 
ter-killing, even in the vicinity where it origi- 
L nated. The New Rochelle Blackberry has 
r probably done more to make this class of 

' fruits popular than any other variety, but some 

of the kinds lately introduced are likely to 
supersede it. Found by Lewis A. Seacor in 
the town of New Rochelle, Westchester 
County, N. Y. 

Newman's Thornless. — Medium, roundish- 
oval, black, rather acid, but good when fully 
ripe ; canes slender, nearly round, growing 
only three or four feet high ; spines small, 
short, as shown in figure 86 ; some of the 
canes almost smooth. It is usually very un- 
productive, but occasionally it will produce 
Fig. 86. quite a large crop. Discovered growing wild, 

and introduced by Jonas Newman, Ulster County, New 

York. 



iU 



f 

I 



BLACKBERRY. 187 

A^awam. — A new variety, of which little is knowE. 
Larger than the Snyder, and Ancient Briton, but the 
plants are not so hardy. 

Ancient Briton. — A very small wild berry from Witj- 
consin. Sweet, juicy, and of excellent quality, and the 
plants are very productive. Valuable only where larger 
and better sorts will not thrive. 

Barnard. — A new variety, found in Iowa. Recom- 
mended on account of the hardiness of the plants. 

Dodge's TliornlesSa — From N". E. Dodge, Fredonia, N. 
Y. This was tried and found wanting some ten years 
ago. Plants feeble, and nearly destitute of both thorns 
and fruit. 

Early Burnton. — Very small ; sweet ; scarcely worth 
cultivating. 

Iloosac Thornlcss. — This is another wild sort, picked 
up in the woods of New England. Not worth describing 
or cultivating. 

Knox. — New, and scarcely known among fruit growers, 
except a small number in Central New York. 

Missonri Mammotli. — This is a wild variety, or, I might 
with truth say, several varieties, dug up from the fields 
and woods of Missouri, and disseminated by one who had 
good reasons for changing his name occasionally to avoid 
unpleasant exposures. It cost me one hundred dollars 
to get my first box of plants of these sorts, and to learn 
that I had been cheated. If there ia any true or genuine 
Missouri Mammoth Blackberry in cultivation, it is un- 
known to me. 

Sable Queen. — Fruit large ; oblong ; glossy black ; 
grains quite large ; firm, sweet, and excellent ; canes very 
vigorous ; hardy, and usually quite productive. Found 
growing wild about thirty years ago, in Essex Co., Mass., 



188 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. " 

and introduced to the public notice by J. W. Manning, 

Reading, Mass. 

Snyder. — A small variety, found growing wild near La 
Porte, Ind., thirty years ago, but it attracted no attention 
until quite recently, when it was discovered that the 
plants were exceedingly hardy. If the plants are given 
good cultivation, and close pruned, the fruit may be in- 
creased in size to a point where it would probably rank 
in the medium class, but with ordinary care, it is too 
small to command much attention. It ripens early, and 
is of good quality, and is valuable in localities where the 
larger sorts are tender. One of the most popular varieties 
in the West on account of its hardiness. 

Taylor's Prolific. — A new Western variety, of medium 
size and good flavor. Eecommended mainly on account 
of the hardiness of the canes, which are said to withstand 
a temperature of thirty degrees below zero without injury. 

Wachiisett Thornless. — This has been much praised on 
account of the scarcity of thorns on its canes. Fruit 
medium size and of fair quality, while the plants are 
vigorous and hardy, but not very prolific. Found grow- 
ing wild in the Monadnock Mountains, in 1864, and in- 
troduced to public notice by R. R. Fletcher, Groton Junc- 
tion, Mass. 

Western Triumph. — A very large, irregular-shaped 
berry; very soft, juicy, and s^eet; plants wonderfully 
vigorous, productive, and hardy. Owing to the softness 
of the berry, it has not attracted much attention from 
those who raise fruit for market, although it is a valuable 
one for the amateur cultivator. A chance seedling, found 
upon the open prairie in Lake Co., 111., in 1858, by Mr. 
Biddle, of Waukegan. 

Needham's White. — A variety sent out several years 
since, but it is unproductive, and not worth cultivating. 



BLACKBERRY. 189 

Wilson's Early. — Very large ; oblong, oval, slightly 
pointed ; black ; quite firm, sweet, rich, and good ; canes 
strong, roundish, not so deeply corrugated as the New 
Eochelle or Dorchester. It is probably a sport of the 
trailing Blackberry, or a cross between it and the high- 
bush. Although the plant is naturally an erect grower, 
still, occasionally, a cane will grow for several feat along 
the ground, and the tip take root, as is usual with the 
common creeping Blackberry, or Dewberry, as it is gen- 
erally called. The fruit ripens very early, and the entire 
crop matures in about two weeks. This peculiarity in 
ripening gives the grower of it an opportunity of sending 
the entire crop to market before other varieties are ripe. 
Discovered by John Wilson, of Burlington, N. J., about 
1854. 

The following kinds I have not fruited, neither have I 
any very reliable information in regard to their merits : 

Albion* — Found growing wild at Albion, Edwards Co., 
Illinois. The fruit is large, of a pink color. 

Claret. — A new variety, found by D. L. Adair, of 
Hawesville, Ky. Fruit large, of a glossy claret color. 

Col. Wilder.- — Fruit bright cream color. Raised by 
John B. Orange, of Albion, Illinois, and named in honor 
of the veteran pomologist, M. P. Wilder, of Boston, Mass. 

Crystal White. — A variety from the West. Fruit yel- 
lowish-white, and of excellent quality. The foliage of this 
variety is very peculiar, inasmuch as the leaflets are very 
narrow, almost oblong-lanceolate ; plants rather tender. 

Dr. Warder. — Color a dark rosy-red. Raised from seed 
by Mr. Orange, the originator of the Col. Wilder, and 
named in honor of Dr. Warder, of Ohio. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE. 

The profits derived from the cultivation of the Rasp- 
berry and Blackberry are extremely variable. The first 



190 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

thing to be ascertained by those who intend planting 
these fruits extensively is, whether there is a good mar- 
ket, and one that is not likely to be overstocked. Then 
find out what kinds are the best suited to the location. 

For instance, if one is located in a section where the 
Eed Antwerp and similar foreign varieties succeed, then 
it would be safe and perhaps preferable to plant them in- 
stead of others, because their fruit always commands the 
highest price in the market. 

In many places at the West, as well as at the East, 
these varieties succeed, if protected in winter, and two to 
six hundred dollars per acre is no uncommon amount to 
be derived for the fruit ; still there are many locations 
where no amount of care will make them yield enough to 
pay for their culture, consequently other varieties must 
be selected, or Easpberry culture be abandoned. 

The Blackberry, as a general thing, does not bring 
quite so large a price in market as the Raspberry, but the 
yield per acre is often greater, so that the returns will be 
about equal, although, as a rule, they are not generally 
considered as profitable a fruit as the Easpberry. When- 
ever Peaches are plentiful, then late varieties of the Black- 
berry sell at a very low price. The cost of cultivation, 
gathering, and marketing these berries, is usually from 
one-fourth to one-third of the gross receipts obtained for 
the fruit. 



CHAPTER V. 



DWARF CHERRY. 

NATURAL FAMILY KOSACE^. 

PRUNUS. Sub-genus, CERASUS.— The Cheriiy. 

The Cherries, as a class, do not come within the pro- 
posed scope of this work. But there is at least one native 
species that is worthy of being placed among the small 
fruits, and I have introduced it here for the purpose of 
calling the attention of our horticulturists to it, hoping 
that through their effoits a new, distinct, and valuable 
class of Cherries will be oiio^inated. 

All of the varieties of the Cherry commonly cultivat- 
ed, are of foreign origin, and the native species have so 
far resisted all attempts at improvement ; as a general 
thing, there appears to be no affinity between those 
of the eastern and western continent. They will neither 
hybridize, nor the wood unite when worked one upon the 
other. Thus the door seems to be closed ascainst the in- 
termingling of the superior and the inferior, and progress 
only possible by raising seedlings of the native kinds 
without foreign aid. 

There nre, however, two indigenous species which appear 
to be nearly related to the foreign, at least sufficiently so, to 
191 



192 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

admit of being hybridized with it, as the flowers are very 
similar and tlie wood of the two miites very readily. One 
of these, Frunvs Pennsylvanica^ is a tall species, and does 
not come within the scope of this work; but a dwarf one, 
jP. pumila, described by Dr. Gray as follows : 

" Smooth, depressed and trailing, six to eighteen inches 
high; leaves obovate-lanceolate, tapering to the base, 
somewhat toothed near the apex, pale underneath; flow- 
ers two to four together ; fruit ovoid, dark red. Rocks or 
Bandy banks; Massachusetts northward to Wisconsin, and 
south to Virginia along the mountains." 

The above is merely a general description of the species, 
but it varies considerably in difierent locations and soils. 

It is thirty-five years since I first became acquainted 
with this species while examining the wild fruits of North- 
ern Michigan, and by referring to my diary of 1846, I 
find the folio win q; notes : 

" August 3d, 1846. Thunder Bay Islands, Lake Huron. 
— Visited Hat Island, and found Dwarf Cherry, (Cerasus 
pumila^) very abundant. The plants growing on the 
beach in almost pure sand; bearing stems depressed with 
the weight of fruit ; wonderfully productive. 

Fruit one-half inch long, and three-eighths broad ; dark 
purple, nearly black, sweet, but rather insipid. Suckers 
abundant from the underground stems or- roots." 

At the time referred to above, I supposed tliis species 
was confined to the shores of the lakes, but have since 
learned that it is widely distributed over the Northern 
States. A few years ago, through the kindness of Prof. 
George Thurber, I received some Cherry seeds from Utah 
Territory, and from them raised plants which appear to bo 
of the same species as the one described by Dr. Grny, as 
P. pnniila, and also found by myself at Hat Island. 
There is, however, considerable difference in the growth 
of the plants ; the one grown from the seeds obtained 
fi'om Utah being more erect, none of the branches trailing 



CHERRY. 193 

as in the speoies. This peculiarity of growth may not he 
different from the wild plants found in some localities. 

I liave some specimens now four years from seed. They 
are about three feet high; stem stocky, hut the branches 
quite slender, cylindrical and smooth. The bark brown and 
shining on the small twigs, grayish when old. Fruit ovoid 
about a half-inch long, dark purple, nearly black, sweet, 
with little flavor. I do not consider this Cherry of any 
particular value as it is found in its normal condition ; but 
if we could obtain an improved variety of a similar growth, 
and as hardy and productive, it would certainly be a 
great acquisition. There is no reason why this should not 
be accomplished, for, as I have said, it is nearly related to 
our cultivated varieties, and a hybrid can, and probably 
Avill be, produced between them. 

Tlie Prunus pumila should be selected for the parent 
to supply the seed, and the pollen, for fertilizing its flow- 
ers, taken from the other species. It blooms rather later 
than the Bigarreau, or MoreJlo varieties, but can easily be 
hastened by planting in a warm situation or under glass. 

To produce a hybrid between this Dwarf Cherry and 
the larger-growing kinds, requires no greater mechanical 
skill than to cross two varieties of the Strawberry ; an 
operation which I have already described. The stamens 
and pistils in the flowers of the Cherry are large and con- 
spicuous, and cross fertilization a very simple operation. 

Here is an opportunity for the enterprising and skillful 
horticulturist to revolutionize Cherry culture, and he who 
first produces a frtiit equal to the Great Bigarreau, or 
Early Richmond Cherry, and borne upon a shrub no larger 
than a Currant bush, will not only have his name handed 
down to posterity, but will be very likely to gather golden 
harvests for his labor. 
9 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE CURRANT. 

NATURAL FAMILY GROSSULACE^. 

RIBES. — The Currant and Gooseberry. 

[French name, GroseiUer commun ; German, Gemeine Johannisbeere ; DutCOi 
d<Ubeaseboom ; Italian, Sibes rosso ; Spanish, Grosselia.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Low, deciduous shrubs, with smooth stems ; leaves 
variable, more or less lobed, in some species nearly heart- 
shaped ; flowers small, greenish-yellow in the commonly 
cultivated varieties, in others yellow, crimson, or white. 

SPECIES. 

Ribes prOStratrunii — Fetid Currant. — Stems reclined ; 
leaves deeply heart-shaped, five to seven-lobed, smooth ; 
fruit pale red. In cold, damp woods in most of the North- 
ern States. 

Ribes floridum. — ^Wild Black Currant. — ^Leaves sprink- 
led with resinous dots, slightly heart-shaped, three to 
five-lobed, doubly serrate ; fruit round-ovoid, black, 
smooth, with a slight musky flavor ; leaves also scented. 
Common in low grounds throughout the Northern States 
and Canadas. 
194 



CURRANT. 195 

RibCS rubrum.. — Red Currant. — Stems straggling or 
reclined ; leaves somewhat lieart-shaj^ed, obtusely three 
to five-lobed, downy beneath when young ; racemes from 
lateral buds distinct from the leaf buds, drooping ; calyx 
flat, greenish or purplish ; fruit globose, smooth, red. In 
cold, damp woods and bogs from 'New England to Oregon. 
Native of Europe, and probably the same species as our 
common Red and White Currants of the gardens. 

Ribes aureum* — Missouri Currant. — Stems very strong, 
erect, with light colored bark; leaves deeply and irregu- 
larly lobed, usually more or less toothed ; flowers yellow, 
in clusters or short racemes ; fruit large, globular, black, 
violet or deep yellow. Native of our Northwestern 
States and Teri'itories. 

Ribes Sanguineum. — Red Flowering Currant. — Native 
of the Rocky Mountains and California. Cultivated for 
ornament. Fruit more or less insipid ; not valuable as an 
edible fruit. 

Ribes nigrum. — Black Currant. — Leaves three to five- 
lobed ; racemes loose ; flowers greenish-white ; calyx often 
of a rich brownish color ; berries globular, smooth, black ; 
leaves and fruit strongly scented. Native of Northern 
Europe, even to the sub- Alpine regions of Siberia. 

Many other species of Currants are known, but as we 
have no varieties of them cultivated for their fruit, I have 
not thought it advisable to describe them. Those species 
found in Mexico, Chili, Straits of Magellan, and other 
Southern countries, would probably not be hardy in thfi 
United States. 

HISTORY. 

The species of the Currant, from which our cultivated 
Varieties originated, are probably native of Northern Eu- 
rope, as we do not find them mentioned by any of the old 
Greek or Roman writers, who were generally so particu- 
hr to name every fruit known in their day. 



196 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

The English name Currant, or Corrans, as they were 
formerly called, was given them, because of their resem- 
blance to the little Zante Grape, which is called Corinths 
in the English markets, as it was formerly almost en- 
tirely imported from Corinth. 

The Black, Red and White Currant, although known 
to the inhabitants of Noilhern Europe for centuries, at- 
tracted very little attention until within the past hundred 
years. 

Turner, in 1557, does not name them in his list of culti- 
vated fruits. Gerarde, in 1597, calls the Currant a smooth- 
stemmed Gooseberry. The Black Currant was formerly 
known as the Squinancy berry, because used to cure the 
qulnsie. 

The people of Siberia use tlie leaves of the Black Cur- 
rant for making a drink, the same as we use tea.. Loudon 
says that the leaves, when dried, are an excellent substi- 
tute for green tea, and that few persons can detect the 
difference. The Red, White and Black Currants, one va- 
riety of each, were the only kinds known in cultivation 
until the beginning of the present century. Since that 
time considerable improvement has been made, and nu- 
merous varieties introduced. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — This method is seldom employed, exce})* 
for the purpose of producing new varieties. The fruit 
should be gathered Avhen fully ripe, always selecting the 
largest berries, and from the earliest and mildest fla 
vored kinds, as the Currant being naturally a very acid 
fruit, the aim should be to produce sweeter varieties. 

The berries may be dried, and the seeds preserved in 
the pulp until wanted, or be crushed and the seeds washed 
out, as recommended for Strawberries. They will grow 
more readily if not allowed to become dry, althougli dry- 
ing is not so injurious to them as it is to many other seeds. 



CURRANT. 197 

The following plan is one that I have followed with 
success : 

Gather the fruit when ripe and wash out the seeds, then 
mix them with pure sand, and put in boxes or pots, and 
bury them in a shady place, sucli as the north side of 
some building or fence, where they will remain cool or 
frozen until the ground, iu which they are to be sown, is 
in a condition to receive them. If they are placed, in a 
situation where the sun will reach them, they are very 
likely to germinate either during winter or as soon as the 
frost leaves them in the spring, often before the ground 
will admit of their being planted. If the seeds are frozen 
after they have sprouted, it will usually destroy the germ 
and prevent further growth. With many persons the 
cause of failure in growing the Currant and Gooseberry 
from seed is, that they either place them hi a situation 
where they sprout and cannot grow, or wheie too warm 
and wet, and when the seeds are taken out to be sown in 
spring they appear to be sound, yet their vitality is gone. 

The seeds of all the species of Ribes will germinate at 
a very low temperature, and if we keep them moist, and 
where they do not freeze, they are very liable to start be- 
fore the open ground is in a condition to receive them. 
The seeds may be sown immediately after being taken 
from the fruit, but in sections of the country where the 
weather is very changeable, and the ground is frequently 
frozen and thawed, there is more or less danger of injury 
from causes above stated. If the seeds are kept dry dur- 
ing winter, they should be soaked in warm water for two 
or three days before sowing. 

Sow in single or wide drills, covering the seed one-half 
of an inch deep with fine soil. Keep theui clear of weeds, 
and if the weather is dry, give them occasionally a good 
Boaking with water. 

Transplant, when one year old, into rows three feet 
ipart, and the plants two feet apart in the rows. 



198 



SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 



Propagation by Cuttings. — Cuttings of the ripe wood 
may be made at any time, from the falling of tlie leaf in 
autumn until the plants commence growth in spring. 
But when tlie best possible results are desired, they should 
be taken oiF as soon as the wood is fully ripe. 

Select good strong wood of the present season's growth, 
and make the cuttings about six inches long, cutting them 
off smooth, just at the base of a bud. Figures 87 and 88 
show two cuttings (much reduced in size) 
as prepared for planting. Figure 81 is a 
cutting of the common Black Currant, 
and figure 82 a cutting of the Cherry 
Currant. The first has much larger and 
more prominent buds than the latter. 
If all the buds, excejit two or three of 
the upper ones, are cut out before setting, 
the ])lant will not i)roduce as many suck- 
ers as thougli they were allowed to re- 
main. The advisability of this plan Avill 
depend entirely upon the manner in which 
the plants are to be grown, whether in 
tree or stool ; if in the former, disbud, if 
not, plant them entire. 

When the cuttings are prepared, plant 
as directed for other ripe wood cuttings, 
in chapter 11. The cuttings should be 
covered with straw or some similar ma- 
terial, sufiicient to keep out the frost, or, 
at least, to prevent the ground from 
frequently freezing and thawing during winter. Re- 
move the covering at the return of warm w^eather, or 
enough of it to allow the young shoots to grow through 
without hindrnnce. Cuttings planted early in fall will 
usually become rooted by the time winter sets in, and 
this too, without their buds pushing into leaf The next 
season they will make a far better growth than if their 




Fiff. 88. 



CURRANT. 199 

planting is deferred until spring. Fall planting of Cur 
rnnt cuttings is practiced by most of our leading nursery- 
men of the present time, especially by those whose nur- 
series are upon soils or in sections of the country where 
tlie Currant ripens its wood early in autumn. The cut- 
tings may be made in the fall ; if it is not convenient to 
plant them then, they may be tied in bundles, and buried 
in the open ground or cellar until spring — but as the 
Currant is one of the earliest plants to show its leaves, the 
cuttings should be planted as early as possible. 

When a variety is scarce and valuable, the cuttings may 
be made very short, — two or three inches in length will 
answer the purpose, but they require a little more care in 
handling and planting, as well as keeping the ground 
moist, until they become rooted. 

Another method is to make cuttir»(^s of one bud, with 
a small portion of wood attached, say half an inch above 
the bud and the same below, planting in pots or boxes of 
sand or sandy loam, laying the cuttings down with the 
eye or bud on the upper side, covering them about half an 
inch deep. After the cuttings have been placed in the 
soil, the pots should be set where the temperature will 
not be above fifty, and keep moist for a few weeks, until 
the callus is formed. Then put them in a propagating 
house or hot-bed, where they will receive a steady heat, 
but not above 15 or 80 degrees. As soon as well rooted, 
pot them off into small thumb pots, and after these have 
become well filled with roots, either shift into larger ones 
or plant into the open ground, being careful not to break 
the ball of earth which contains the roots. 

The single bud cuttings will sometimes grow quite 
readily if planted in the open ground, provided the sur 
face Df the soil above them is covered with a mulch — saw- 
dust or tan-bark are better for mulchino; the cuttins^-bed 
than straw or leaves. 

The Currant may also be grown very readily from green 



200 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

cuttings taken from the plants as they grow in the open 
ground. They sliould be taken off as soon as the plants 
have made a growth of two or three inches. Slip oif the 
young growth close to the old wood, and plant the same 
as other green wood cuttings in a frame, propagating 
house, or under bell glasses. 

These green cuttings require but a moderate degree of 
heat, and will often succeed in a half shady situation in 
the open ground if covered with glass. It is better, how- 
ever, with very rare kinds, to take up the plants in fall, 
and put them in a pot and set in a propagating house ; 
then take off the young wood, as soon as it is large enough 
for cuttings ; in this manner every shoot that appears can 
be made a strong plant by spring. 

Propagation by Suckers. — This was formerly a more 
common method of propagating than at present, but 
plants produced in this manner are not usually as good as 
those from cuttings. The suckers that spnng from the 
roots are slipped off close at their base, and then planted 
out, as usual with other plants. 

Propagation by Layers. — Branches, when bent down 
and covered with soil, or even pegged to the surface and 
then covered with a mulch, will readily take root. 

The spring is the best time to perform this operation, 
because the layer will become well rooted by autumn. 
Leave the end of the branch uncovered, only burying that 
portion on which it is desirable to produce roots. 

In the fall, separate the layer from the parent plant, and 
heel-in until spring. Cuttings grow so readily, that the 
last two named methods of propagation are but seldom 
practiced with the Currant. 

SOIL AND CULTIVATION. 

The Currant is a plant that possesses great vitality, and 
will grow in almost any kind of soil or situation, but to 
bring it to perfection, and make its culture profitabh;, it 



CUKE ANT. 201 

requires good culture, and a deep rich soil. It succeeds 
better in a lieavy loam, approaching a clay, than in a light 
sandy soil. But, whatever the character of the soil, two 
things are important for producing the best results, — a 
deep soil and a rich one. It being what may be called 
a gross feeder, manure of almost any kind may be applied 
Mitli impunity, and in almost any quantity. 

To a tew persons this may seem to be a singular recom- 
mendation, inasmuch as we usually see, in traveling 
through the country. Currant bushes growing in the fence 
corners, or in rows where the grass has taken possession 
of the soil and formed a tough sod about the plants, and 
Btill they live and bear fruit. Yet, while I admit that the 
Currant will live under such treatment, and in quite poor 
soils, it never produces as large or as much fruit as when 
it has good culture and a rich soil. 

For field culture the plants should be set in rows four 
or five feet apart, and about four feet in the row. 

Clean cultivation is required as with other plants, and 
if the whole surface of the soil is covered with mulch dur- 
ing summer, it will not only insure the maturing of the 
crop, but will materially increase the size of the fruit. 

North of the latitude of New York: City, there is but 
little trouble in obtnining a full crop of Currants almost 
every season, but South of this, and particularly on sandy 
soils, the dry weather often begins so early that the plants 
ripen, and the leaves fall before the fruit comes to maturi- 
ty. Deep rich soil and mulching are the best methods for 
preventing this. 

PRUNING AND TRAINING 

The most common modes of training are what is termed 
the bush or stool form, and the tree shape. To grow the 
bushes in the stool form, it is only necessary to set out 
the plants singly, and allow them to throw up suckers 
from the main stem or roots, which all the varieties 
9 



202 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

and species do quite readily. The young shoots may be 
phoi-tened or entirely removed, for tlie purpose of giving 
the bush a regular shape, and make it open or compact, 
as desired. 

The varieties of the Bihes ruhrum, to which species our 
common Red and White kinds belong, are usually grown 
in this form, especially when cultivated in large quantities, 
and for market purposes. 

The fruit is mainly produced on the wood two or more 

years old, and when a branch has borne two or three 

It ' 

crops, it is best to remove it and allow a new one to take 
its place, as young wood generally produces larger fruit 
than that which is very old. 

About all the pruning that is necessary is to cut out, oc- 
casionally, the old wood, and shorten the most vigorous 
of the young growth. 

If too many young shoots or suckers appear, and they 
are likely to become crowded, a portion of them should 
be cut out, so that the air and sun may have free access 
to those that remain. 

All dead or diseased shoots should be annually removed, 
and only the best and most luxuriant ones preserved. If 
the ends of the growing shoots are pinched off during the 
summer, it will cause them to become more stocky and 
fully ripe, while at the same time it will increase the size 
of the fruit which may be on the branch below. 

The main object should be to properly develop every 
•iortion of the plant, and this cannot be done if it becomes 
crowded, either with old or new wood. 

A half dozen large, vigorous shoots will give more and 
lariTcr fruit than double that number of weak and imma- 
ture ones. 

When the plants are /o be trained with single stems, 
the system should be commenced with the cutting, dis- 
budding that portion Avhich is placed below ground, awd 
when those above ground push, rub ff all but onOj, *v«»(l 



CURRANT. 203 

train that erect ; the next season cut it back to within a 
foot or eighteen inches of the ground. Allow three to 
Bix shoots to grow the second season, and at equal distances 
around the stem, if possible. The third season, shorten 
these branches, and allow six to twelve shoots to be pro- 
duced, and so on from year to year, pruning out and head- 
ing in, keeping tlie head open and the branches arranged 
in a vase form, or as near it as convenient. In some soils 
single stem plants will live and produce abundantly for 
eight to ten years, and while young, the fruit will be larger 
than when grown in thick, compact bushes. For amateurs 
the single stem system is a very convenient and pretty 
method, and if a plant fails, it may be replaced without 
any particular loss, but for field culture I prefer the clump 
or bush form, because it is less trouble, and there is dan- 
ger of the plants being killed by the Currant Borer, for if 
one of these gets into the single stemmed plant it destroys 
it, and a new one must be planted or trained up from one 
of the many suckers which will usually start from the 
roots after the main stem has been removed. 

With the Black Currant the case is somewhat difierent ; 
being naturally a much stronger grower, the stems becom- 
ing quite large and coarse, they will live for many years, 
and there is but little danger of insects injuring them. 
Neither do these require so much pruning as other varie- 
ties; still, enough should be done to give the bush a regu- 
lar, open head, as well as to cut out all small, weak shoots. 
The young, one year old shoots should not be shortened so 
severely as with other varieties, unless it is necessary for 
the purpose of giving the plant some particular form, be- 
cause fruit is produced on the one year old wood as well 
as upon small spur-like shoots on the old. The varieties 
of the Mibes nigrum^ (European Black Currant,) and the 
Rihes Jioridum^ and R. avreun, form much larger bushes 
than any of the other species ; consequently they should 
oe allowed moi'e room. If planted in rows, they should 



204: SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

be five to six feet apart, if it is desirable to have them 
grow to full size, although they are readily kept within 
a much less space, but much fruit will be lost by severe 
p;'uning. These coarse-growing species usually produce 
better and larger fruit on old plants than on the young, 
provided they are given good culture, and all little, weak 
shoots are annually cut out, so that those remaining will 
be fully developed. 

The tree form is preferable to the bush or clump for 
all the varieties of the species last named. 

INSECTS AND DISEASES. 

It is only within the past twenty or thirty years that 
insects injurious to the Currant and Gooseberry have be- 
come so numerous as to attract much attention. In 1847, 
the late Dr. Asa Fitch, in his Eeport as State Entomolo- 
gist of New York, mentioned an insect which had become 
very destructive to the Currant in the central part of the 
State, and as it somewhat resembled the European Cur- 
rant and Gooseberry moth (Ahraxis grossulariata), he re- 
ferred this American pest to the same genus, and named 
it Ahraxis rihearia. In figure 89, at the upper right- 
hand side, is shown the male moth, and at the left the 
female, while on the leaf above is shown the caterpillar, as 
seen when feeding. Another of these caterpillars is seen 
suspended from the edge of the leaf, as they appear when 
letting themselves down to the ground, while below is its 
pupa, in which form this insect passes through the winter. 
Eecent investigations by other entomologists show that 
this insect is a native of North America, and not of 
Europe, as at one time supposed. Furthermore, Dr. A. 
S. Packard considers the insect to be sufficiently distinct 
to be separated from Ahraxis ; and he has placed it in a 
genus to which he has given the name of Eufitcliia, in 
honor of its first discoverer, Dr. Fitch ; consequently its 
scientific name becomes Eufitcliia rihearia, instead of 



CURRAKT. 



205 



Ahraxis. But the changing of its name has no effect 
upon the habit of this pest, and it will probably continue, 
as formerly, to strip the leaves from our Currants and 
Gooseberries, whenever left to have its own way. The 
insect usually appears- early in spring, feeding upon the 
leaves, and is then readily destroyed by dusting powdered 




Fig. 89.— CURRANT WORM {Eafitchia rihearia). 

White Hellebore over the plant, while wet with dew in the 
morning. Tobacco water and lime, and similar applica- 
tions are also used with good results, but the hellebore is 
considered the most effective and certain. 

Imported Currant Worm,— This pest is the Nematus 
ventricosus, Klug, a large fly, of the order Hymenoptero, 
and family Tenthredi7iidcB, There are very few insects 



206 SMALL PRUIT CULTURIST. 

of this order that injure our garden plants, but tlie one 
under consideration is an exception to the general rule. 
It first appearance in this country was about 1857, and in 
the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y., and is supposed to have 
been introduced with imported plants. 

The flies come out of the ground early in spring, and 
the females soon commence depositing their eggs on the 
underside of the leaves near the veins. The eggs hatch 
in about a week, and immediately commence feeding upon 
the soft part of the leaves. At each moult they change 
color, but when fully grown they are about three-quarters 
of an inch long, and of a grass-green color, with minute 
black spots scattered along the sides and on the back. 
AVhen mature, they drop to the ground and hide under 
the leaves, enclosing themselves in thin oval cocoons. 
In the course of five or six weeks a second brood of the 
flies appear, and go the same round of devastation as the 
first one, unless checked or destroyed by application of 
hellebore or similar insecticides. Hellebore is usually 
applied while the fruit is green, and any that may remain 
upon the fruit is washed off by the rain ; should any ad- 
here to the ripe fruit it must be washed off. 

The IVativc Currant Worm. — This is a closely allied in- 
sect to the last, belonging to the same order and family, 
but to another genus. It is the Pristipliora (/rossularicB, 
Walsh. Its habits are also similar to the imported worm, 
and it may be destroyed with similar insecticides. 

Trochilium tipuliforine. — European Currant Borer. — 
This is quite common in the Eastern States, and we seldom 
receive Currant bushes from Europe that do not contain 
more or less of these pests. It is too well known to re- 
quire a description. The moth is probably not so familiar, 
and I give the description given it by Dr. Fitch, in the New 
York Agricultural Eeport, 1859: *^ A small moth, having 
some resemblance to a wasp, its wings being clear and 



CURRANT. 207 

gfossy, the fore pair opaque, yellowish at i\ie tips, with a 
black margin and band near the middle, and the abdomen 
black, with three yellow bands situated one upon each 
alternate segment ; width 0.65 to 0.85." 

Trochilium caildatum. — Harris. — This species infests 
our native wild Currnnt, {Rlhes floridum^) and it resem 
bles somewhat the European species. 

To destroy these borers, the plants should be examined 
every fall or during winter, and every shoot that has a 
borer in it will usually be of a brown color, or slightly 
wilted ; sometimes, when the shoots are very vigorous, no 
difference can be observed, but by close inspection the 
small hole where the worm entered can be found. All 
Fhoots containing worms should be cut out, and the worm 
destroyed. In this way they may be checked, if not en- 
tirely eradicated. 

In making cuttings, the same care should be given, and 
every hollow stem examined for borers, and if found, de- 
stroyed. 

VARIETIES. 
NATIVE SPECIES. 

American Black. — Mihes floridum. — ^Frult medium, 
roundish-ovoid, black ; clusters small, tapering. Seldom 
cultivated, but worthy of it, if for no other purpose than 
to produce new varieties, as it is naturally a better flavored 
fruit than the European Black Currant. 

Deseret. — Ribes aureum. — Fruit very large, round, 
black or dark violet, with a slight bloom, sub-acid and 
agreeable flavor ; flowers yellow ; a strong and rapid 
grower, and very productive when the plant attains its 
full growth. A variety of the Missouri Currant {Ribes 
nureum). It is highly valued by the Mormons at Salt Lake 
City, from whence I received it a few years since. Thia 



208 



SMALL FETTIT CULTUETST. 



should become the parent of a new and valuable clas^ of 




Fig. 90. — LEAF or DESERET. 



Currants, as it possesses many good qualities and few 
defects. Figure 90 shows a leaf of this variety. 

Golden. — Large, round, deep golden-yellow, very acid, 
and slightly bitter ; flowers yellow. Of no value for its 
fruit, but might be improved. Native of the Rocky 
Mountains, and a variety of M. aureum. 

Missouri Black. — Very large, jet black, hard, dry, and 



CURRANT. 



209 



bitter; of no value, except as an ornamental shrub; 
flowers yellow, fragrant. There is another resembling 
this, except that the fruit is edible, but not very good. 
All the varieties of the B. aureum have deeply lobed 




Fi^. 91 — LBA.F OF RIBES SANGUINEUM. 

leaves, while the H. sanguineum^ (Red Flowering Cur- 
rant,) which is found west of the Rocky Mountains, has 
leaves of the form shown in figure 91. 

Sweet Fruited Itlissouri. — Large, black, roundish-ovoid ; 
bunches small, containing few berries ; sweet, musky fla- 
vor. A variety of B. florldum^ and not of the R. 
aureum^ as its name would indicate. It is a very slight 
improvement upon the common wild Black Currant, 
which may be found in almost any low, moist woods. 
9* 



210 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

The Mormons claim to have several valuable varieties na- 
tive of the Salt Lake region, but whether they will prove 
valuable or worthy of being extensively cultivated is very 
tincertain. There is one thing quite certain, and that is 
that we have native species that possess qualities equal, if 
not superior, to those found in any other country, and 
equally susceptible of improvement. 

FOREIGN VARIETIES. 

Before proceeding to describe the different kinds, I wiL 
give a brief synopsis of the difficulties that I have met in 
endeavoring to ascertain which were distinct varieties. 

It is well known that plants of similar kinds often be- 
come intermingled through the carelessness of workmen. 
Sometimes packages will become broken while being 
transported from one portion of the country to another, 
and several kinds become mixed together. Thus it will 
be seen that mixed varieties become very common from 
accidental causes. 

Twenty-five years ago I commenced collecting the vari- 
ous kinds of Currants with the express purpose of ascer- 
tainino: their true merits, and to determine which were 
really distinct varieties. 

To do this has cost me infinitely more labor and 
money than I shall be likely to receive from the proceeds 
of this volume, and still I fear that the results will be less 
satisfactory to the public than any other portion of the 
work. 

I have not depended upon varieties obtained from any 
one source, either in Europe or America, but have gath- 
ered them from the best nurseries of France, Prussia, 
Germany, England, Ireland, and the United States. 

In the prosecution of my labors and researches, I have 
had the srood fortune to be able to avail mvself of the in- 
valuable experience and. extensive collection of Mi-. Chas. 
Downing. His experience extends over a period of more 



CURRANT. 



211 



than fifty years, and when, a few years since, I informed 
hhn of my i)urpose of Avritini^* this hook, and requested 
his assistance particularly upon the Currant and Rasp- 
berry, he cheerfully took hold of the work, and in addi- 
tion to liis then very complete collection, he sent to the 
diiferent growers of Europe and of this country for speci- 
mens of all the new, as well as old varieties. Not depend- 
ing iq^on one importation, he has obtained a new set almost 
every year, and by keeping them separate, we have had 
an opportunity of determining which were really distinct 
varieties. For a number of years we have met, at the 
time the fruit was ripe, and gone over the entire collec- 
tion, carefully comparing them, and the following list is 
the result : 




Fig. 92. — LEAF OF ATTRACTOR. 

Attractor. — Large, yellowish-white ; bunch medium, 
loose. A slow grower, but quite productive. Not equal 



212 



SMALL FRUIT CULTTJRIST. 



to the Wliite Dutch in flavor. The leaves are small and 

deeply lobed or tootl.ed, as shown m figure 92. From 

France. 

Buist's Loil^-Blinched Red, — Large, deep red, of similar 

flavor as the lied Dutch ; leaves large and very thick ; 

serratures sharp - pointed ; a 
strong and vigorous grower, and 
very ]iroductive. Originated 
with R Buist, Philadelphia, Pa. 
Champagne. {Pheasant's Eye^ 





Fig*. 93. — CHERRY CURRANT. 



Y\Z. 94. — CHERRY CURRANT. 



GrosselUer a Fruit coiileur de chair.) — Large, pale pink 
or flesh color, quite acid, and not rich flavored ; bunches 
medium, loose, slightly tapering ; vigorous and produc- 
tive. Much admired for the pretty appearance of its 
fruit. Ripens late. 

Cherry. {Imperial Rouge, or Bed Imperial., Large Red 
Anger s, La Caucase, Fertile d' Angers of Leroy, Irish 
Grape, Macrocarpa, Napoleon Red.) — Very large, dark 



CUfeRAXT. 213 

red, acid, not rich, only second rate ; bunch variable, from 
Bhort to quite long, scarcely tapering, figure 87, and figure 
88 showing the variations on the same plant ; leaves large, 
deep green, bluntly lobed, thick and tuugh ; very distinct 
from the Red Dutch and its varieties. Plant a coarse 
grower, the young shoot^^ being very strong and stocky ; 
very productive, but the ohi branches becoming naked, 
often produce two or three crops. The largest Red Cur- 
rant in cultivation, and commands the highest price in 
market. Some of the varieties placed as synonyms of 
the Cherry were probably raised from seed, but as I have 
not been able to discover wherein they differ, 1 think it 
folly to call them by difierent names. 

Versailles. —Very large; bunch, long, and .slightly 
tapering ; dark red, acid, and by many it is considered to 
be a better flavored variety than the Cherry, but by others 
very similar, if not identical. 

The principal points of distinction claimed are, that the 
Versailles is not so acid as the Cherry, and that the bunches 
are more tapering. But like variations may be observed in 
other well known varieties, and upon plants growing in 
close proximity. At one time, I thought that there was 
a difi*erence in the growth and foliage of the two kinds, 
but more experience has not confirmed me in this opinion. 

Although I am not ready to say positively that there is 
no distinct variety to which the name of Versailles be- 
longs, still I have not as yet been able to obtain one in 
which really distinct and permanent variations can be di&. 
covered. 

Since writing the above, thirteen years ago, I have con- 
tinued my investigation in regard to the identity of these 
two varieties of the Currant, without making any dis- 
coveries which throw light upon the subject. I have 
noticed, however, that several European authorities have 
declared the Versailles to be identical with the Cherry, a 
conclusion which I arrived at some fifteen years ago. 



214 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Dana's White. — After various attempts to procure a 
White Currant under this name distinct from the White 
Grape, I at last procured a few plants from Mr. Dana, 
but with no better success, as all proved to be the same. 
Fertile de Palluau. — Large, and of same color as Red 
Dutch, but not so juicy or good. 
A strong and vigorous grower, and 
very productive. The leaves re- 
semble the Red Dutch, but are 
larscer. Fii^nre 95. 

Gondouin Red. — Berry and 

bunch medium size ; fruit light red, 
of rather poor flavor ; foliage large, 
coarse, light green ; serratures of 
leaf sharp, coarsely veined, upper 
surface slightly wavy. A very vig- 
orous grower, and may prove to 
be the Red Provence. 

Gondouin White. — I have been 
unable to obtain a distinct variety 
under this name, White Grape be- 
ing tlie one usually received. 

Gloire des Sablons. — Fruit and 
bunch small, white, distinctly strip- 
ed with red, acid, poor flavor; of 
no value, except as a curiosity; 
plant a strong, upright and vigor- 
ous grower, not very productive. 

Gros Rou^e d'Anj^ers. {Large 
Red Angers.) — See Cheriy. 

Holland Long Grape. — The one 

received from L. Leroy, of France, is the Victoria, and 
one from Andre Leroy, the Red Provence. 

Imperial Yellow. {ImperiaUaune, White Imperial.) 
— Identical with the Wliite Grape, with perhaps a slight 




Fig. 95. — FERTILE DE 
TALLUAU. 



CURKANT. 215 

difference in the growth of the plant. It appears to be a 
more stocky and upright grower, at least while young. 

Imperial Rou^e. — See Cherry Currant. 

Knight's Large Red. — Very similarto,if not identical 
withjthe Red Dutch. ' 

Knight's Early Red. — Same as the last, and no earlier. 

Knight's Sweet Red. — Large, very dark red; bunch 
long, tapering ; similar in quality to the Red Dutch, but 
apparently not quite so acid ; growth vigorous, upright ; 
leaves dark green, of medium size, thick and coarsely ser- 
rate. The general appearance of the plant distinct from 
the Red Dutch. Moderately productive. This may have 
been received under the wrong name, and perhaps it is 
the Knight's Large Red, which, Rivers says, is a valuable 
variety. 

La Ilative. [La Ifative de JSertin^ La Fertile.) — I am 
not certain which of the above names should be placed 
first, although the varieties received under each have all 
proved to be the same. Evidently nearly related to the 
Cherry Currant, as the general appearance of the plant 
resembles it very much, but of a less vigorous growth. 
Color of fruit and form of bunch same as Cherry, but 
only about two-thirds the size ; ripens a few days earlier, 
and is not quite so acid, yet too much so to be called good ; 
productive. 

Prince Albert. — ^Large, light red, sometimes slightly 
Btriped with dark red ; bunch medium, tapering ; rather 
acid, firm, of inferior quality, moderately vigorous, up- 
right ; leaves small ; lobes long, pointed, sharply serrate 
very productive. 

Red Dutch. (Large Bed Dutch, New Red Dutch, Long 
Bunched Red, Morgari's Red, Grossellier Rouge a Grosse 
Fruit.) — Large, deep red ; bunches long, tapering, rich, 
juicy, good. One of the best. A vigorous, erect grower 
and very productive. Well known. 



216 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Red Grape. — Large, dark red ; bunch compact, long, 
slightly tapering; foliage medium, not shining, as witii 
Red Dutch; moderately vigorous, and of a rather stocky 
growth. 

Red Provence. — Small, dark red; bunches long; very 
acid, liable to rot before ripening, 
quite late, altogether inferior ; the 
young shoots red. A very ram- 
pant, coarse grower. 

Striped Fruited. ( Grosse Weiss- 
und Mothgestreifte Johannisheere.) 
— An old variety, with fruit same as 
Gloire des Sablons, but the plant 
a short, stocky grower; the termi- 
nal buds on the young shoots quite 
conspicuous. Of no value. 

Transparent White. — Claimed 
to be a seedling of White Grape, 
but, if so, it has assumed all the 
characteristics of its parent, and I 
am unable to see any difference. 

Versailles. — See page 205. 

Victoria. — {May's Victoria, 
Houghton Castle^ Rahy Castle, 
Goliath, Wilmofs Red Grape, and 
Red Grape of some nurseries.) — 
Larcre, ligcht, bri'dit red ; bunch 
(figure 96) very long, often six or 
seven inches, tapering ; sprightly 
acid, good flavor ; leaves medium, 
rather thin ; lobes long ; serratures 
rounded, or with a short point ; 
young branches rather slender, although vigorous, spread- 
ing ; very productive. A valuable variety for home use. 




Fis:. 96. — VICTORIA. 



CUKRANT. 



217 



White GrapCt {White Antwerp, White Transparent.) 
— Large, yellowisli-wbite, transparent; bunch medium, 
sliglitly tapering (fig. 97) ; juicy, 
sweet, rich; the best White 
Currant ; moderately vigorous, 
slender, spreading habit ; leaves 
medium size, sharply serrate, 
with a grayish green color, not 
shining ; very productive. 

White Dutch. ( White Clin- 
ton, New White Dutch, Clarke'' s 
Sweet, White Crystal, Reeves' 

White, Morgan'' s White, White 
Leghorn, White Transparent, 

White Holland, White Pearl ^ 
— Large, yellowish- white, but 
quite transparent"; bunches a 
little shorter than the Red Dutch, 
and berries larger, sweet, rich 
and good; a vigorous, upright 
grower, and very productive. 

White Provence, — Yery 

large, yellowish-white ; bunch 
rather short, tapering. About 
the same in quality as the White Dutch, but not quite 
equal to White Grape. The most vigorous of all the 
White varieties, evidently of the White Dutch class. 
Leaves large, thick, more or less edged with white, as 
shown in figure 98; productive, but not equally so with 
the AVliite Grape. 




Fio*. 97. — WHITE GRAPE. 



BLACK CURRANTS. 



{Mihes nigrum.) 

Black Eni^lish. ( Common Black, Bang-up Black. 
Cassis a M'uit noir.) — Large, black, but few in a cluster. 
10 



218 



SMALL PKUIT CULTURIST. 



Well known, and but little cultivated at the j^resent time, 
having been superseded by the following : 

Black Naples. ( Cassis Royal of Naples^ — Very large, 
often three-fourths of an inch m diameter, black, sweet, 
but of musky flavor ; clusters are medium, tapering, loose ; 




Fig. 98. — LEAF OF WHITE PKOVENCE. 

very vigorous grower, and productive, Avhen the plants 
have attained considerable age and size ; leaves, stems and 
fruit have a rank and musky scent, which is very disa- 
greeable to many, but to others delightful. 

Black Grape. {Ogden's Black 6^mi)e.)— Fruit same 



CURRANT. 219 

as Black Naples, but the bush is more stocky, and not so 
tall a grower. A marked difference may be observed in 
the hight of the plants when growing in adjoining rows. 

Brown Fruited. {Greeix Fruited^ Russian Green.) — 
A variety of the Black English, with greenish-brown 
fruit ; berries bard, dry, and rank flavored. Not worth 
cultivating. 

Lee's Prolific. — A new sort, of great promise. Berries 
large, in compact clusters ; very similar in quality to the 
Black Naples, but the plants far more productive. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE, USES, &c. 

Currants are not, as a general thing, consumed in aa 
large quantities as some other kinds of our small fruits. . 
Still there is scarcely a garden, however small, in city or 
country, in which a few Currant bushes are not cultivated. 

The extreme acidity of our more common varieties is 
probably one reason why larger quantities of them are not 
used in their natural state. Currant jelly is one of the in- 
dispensable conserves of which no good housekeeper neg- 
lects to lay by a store at the proper time, but it has not 
been known as an article of commerce until within a very 
recent period. 

Our markets, as a general rule, have been very well sup- 
plied, and often the price obtained for Currants has been 
far below a profitable point. But of late years, since our 
great fruit-preserving establishments have been started, the 
demand has increased, and the supply is falling behind. 
Here let me mention a fact which, I fear, some of our 
fruit growers, as well as others, do not fully understand, 
and it may also explain why the prices of certain kinds of 
fruit appear to increase in exact ratio to the supply. It 
is this : When the proprietors of one of these large es« 
tablishments can go into market and purchase fifty thous- 
and baskets of Strawberries, Raspberries, or other similar 



220 SMALL FKUIT CULTURIST. 

fruits, he can afford to make a specialty of tliat one kind 
for one, two or more days, engaging the entire apparatus 
and force of his establishment upon it ; but, if only a few 
hundred baskets can be obtained at any one time, then it 
will not pay him to attempt to preserve any. Thus it 
will be seen that we may saj^ply or glut a market with a 
few hundred baskets or pounds of a particular kind; 
when, if the supply was thousands of baskets, or tons in- 
stead, there would soon be a scarcity. Just as soon as it 
is known that any good kind of fruit can be had in abun- 
dance, there will be means found for disposing of it, and 
usually at a better price than when there is a comj^ara- 
tive scarcity. Capital is usually drawn into channels 
where it can be employed continuously as well as profita- 
bly. Gail Borden's process for condensing milk has been 
successfully applied to the juice of the Currant, and a 
similar substance to the common jelly manufactured with- 
out sugar, and at less than half the cost. In the con- 
densed form. Currant juice may be transported to any por- 
tion of the globe, and become an article of commerce. 
When water is added, it again becomes a liquid — valuable 
for medicinal purposes, as well as a luxury. Vessels start- 
ing upon long voyages would do well to lay in a supply 
of this article, for there are many diseases which are more 
or less prevalent on ship-board, particularly when in tropi- 
cal climates, in which a free use of Currant juice would be, 
at least, beneficial to the patient, if not a curative. 

The red Currants are more generally used for making 
jellies tlian the white, but why, it would be difficult to 
tell. Perhaps it is like many other anomalies we observe 
in market, the cause of which can only be attributed to a 
more general acquaintance with the kind, or to an attrac- 
tive color. The white Currants, as a class, are of a richer 
flavor and less acid than the Red. 

The Black Currants are not so acid as the red and 
white varieties, but their strong musky flavor is not, as a 



CURRANT. 221 

rule, agreeable to the American taste ; yet, like many 
other fruits of strong flavor, it gradually becomes less ob- 
jectionable, until at last, through famiharity, a taste for it 
is acquired^ and then it is appreciated and valued as highly 
as any other. Every year there appears to be an increas- 
ing demand for the Black Currants, and the time will soon 
come, if it has not already arrived, when they will com- 
mand full prices and be sold in large quantities. Currant 
wine made from the different kinds is a well known article 
but whether its manufacture sliould be encouraged, or 
otherwise, I will leave to the temperance societies to de- 
cide. The price of Currants in our eastern markets varies 
from four to fifteen cents per pound ; usually tlie largest 
and best varieties will bring ten cents at wholesale. At 
the last named price, four to six hundred dollars per acre 
can be obtained. 

In planting the common red and white kinds, four feet 
each way is sufKcient, tlms giving 2,722 plants per acre. 
If we estimate our crop at two pounds per plant, which is 
not one-half the amount they should produce when fully 
grown, we will get 5,444 pounds per acre, or over two 
tons and a half, and at two hundred dollars per ton it 
amounts to over five hundred dollars. Then we have the 
gathering, shipping, cultivation, and other incidental ex- 
penses to deduct therefrom. But even then it can be seen 
that it will be a very profitable crop. In case of great 
abundance the prices might be somewhat reduced, but by 
good cultivation the crop may be double the estimate 
given above. 

The Currant possesses many good qualities to recom- 
mend it ; among which are its perfect hardiness, early cul- 
ture, great productiveness, and almost the certainty of a 
full crop every year. 



CHAPTER VIL 



GOOSEBERRY. 

NATURAL FAMILY GROSSULACEJS. 

[Eibes Grossularia, of Botanists ; Ribes Uva Crispa, of Linnoeiis ; GrosseiUer, oi 
the French ; Stachelbeere-strauch, German ; Uva-spina, Italian ; Grossella, Spanish ; 
Kruisbes^ of the Dutch.] 

GENERAL CHARACTER. 

Low, deciduous shrubs ; stems mostly bearing thorns 
at the base of the leaf-stalks, in some the spines or prickles 
scattered, usually more abundant at the base of the 
stems than above ; leaves alternate, palmately lobed ; 
fruit a one-celled berry, produced in small clusters, smooth 
or prickly. 

SPECIES. 

The following are indigenous to the United States, ac- 
cording to Dr. Gray and Chapman. 

Ribes Cynosbati. — Wild Gooseberry. — Leaves pubes- 
cent; peduncles slender, two to three flowered; spines 
strong ; berry large, armed with long prickles, like a burr, 
»*arely smooth. 

R. hirtellum. — Smooth Gooseberry. — Leaves somewhat 
pubescent beneath ; peduncles very short, one to two 
222 



GOOSEBERRY. 223 

flowered ; stems either smooth or prickly, and with very 
short thorns. Common in all the Northern States. The 
well known Houghton's Seedling, of the nurseries, belongs 
to this specieSi 

R. rotundifolium. — Leaves nearly smooth, rounded, with 
very short and blunt lobes ; peduncles slender, one to 
three flowered ; fruit smooth, pleasant flavored. 

Ri lacustre. — Swamp Gooseberry. — Young stems with 
bristly prickles and weak thorns ; leaves heart-shaped, 
three to five-pointed, with lobes deeply cut ; fruit bristly. 
Cold woods and swamps fr'om New England to the West 
and northward. 

R. ^racilc* — Axillary spine very short ; leaves on a 
slender petiole, pubescent on both sides ; the lobes acute, 
incised and acutely toothed ; peduncles long, one to two 
flowered. Mountains of Tennessee ; (Chapman in Flora 
of the Southern States.) 

There are several other species, or those described as 
such, but as we have no cultivated varieties of them, it is 
hardly necessary to give a full description. The following 
are but a portion of those known : 

R. OXycanthoides. — Native of Canada and Newfound- 
land, and to the northward. 

R. divaricatunii — Branches divaricate, bristly or naked; 
berries black, smooth. Native of Northwest coast of 
America. 

R. microphyllum. — Small Leaved Gooseberry. — ^Native 
of the mountains of Mexico. Flowers red. 

R« cnneifolium. — Berry pale red, resembles the R. ZTva 
Crispa. Native of Peru, on the Andes. 

FOREIGN SPECI15S. 

R. Grossulariat ( TTva Crispa, L.) — Leaves three to 
five-lobed, rather villous; prickles two or three under 
each bud ; branches otherwise smooth, spreading or erect ; 



224 SMALL FETJTT CULTURIST. 

berries smooth or covered with prickles, red, green or yel« 
low. Native of the whole of Northern Europe, and in 
the woods of Britain. This species is the parent of all 
the noted varieties of the English gardens. 

Other species are known, but not possessing merits 
superior to the above, no attempt has been made to im- 
prove them. The native species of America are leally 
superior to the JR. Grossularia in its normal state. But in 
England great attention has been paid to the cultivation 
and improvement of this fruit, consequently varieties of 
great size, beauty and excellence have been the result. 

HISTOKr. 

The Gooseberry has no separate history from the Cur- 
rant. It was, as we have before stated, not known as a 
cultivated fruit until within the last two or three hundred 
years. Parkinson, in 1640, mentions eight varieties, but 
the varieties increased so rapidly in the next hundred 
years, that Miller, in 1731, said that it was needless to un- 
dertake to enumerate them. 

If this was true in the days of Miller, it is certainly so 
at the present time, because varieties have been constantly 
increasing ever since, until some of the English nursery- 
men enumerate three hundred kinds in tlieir catalogues. 

In this country very little attention has been paid to 
tbe Gooseberry, and the list of kinds grown from native 
species is very small, which is very much to be regretted, 
inasmuch as the European sorts do not, as a general thing, 
succeed in America. 

PROPAGATION. 

The same methods recommended for the Currant, with 
one or two exceptions, are equally applicable to tho 
Gooseberry. 



GOOSEBERRY. 225 

As a general tiling, it does not ripen its wood so early 
in the season as the Currant, and the plantiug of the cut- 
thigs may be deferred until spring. 

They are, however, more certain, if made in tlie fall after 
the leaves have fallen, or when the young wood is fully 
mature, than if the operation is deferred until spring. 

The cuttings may be buried either in the open ground 
or cellar, being careful not to allow them to become dry 
and shrivelled or too wet. Growing from seed cannot be 
too highly recommended at the present time, because we 
are in great want of varieties suited to our climate, and it 
is scarcely to be expected that we shall obtain them in 
any other way than by growing seedlings from our native 
species. 

We have plenty of varieties which were produced from 
the seeds of foreign kinds, but they are neither superior 
in quality or size, nor any better suited to our climate 
than the originals. 

Native varieties from native species is the field in which 
to labor for making permanent progress, and the general 
success of the few varieties that have been produced, shows 
the truth of this assertion. 

PRUNING AND TRAINING. 

The single stem system is probably the best one for 
training the Gooseberry. The fruit is produced on short 
spurs on the two and three years old wood, as well as on 
that of the preceding year, and the directions given for the 
Currant are applicable to the Gooseberry. If but little 
fruit is desired, and that of large size, then prune close, and 
leave but few branches, and the opjjosite course may be 
followed for a large crop. The Gooseberry should be train- 
ed with a very open head, more so than the Currant, be- 
cause if the air does not have free access to every portion 
of the plant, mildew is almost certain to destroy not only 
the fruit, but the inside branches, if not the whole plant. 
10 



226 SMALL FRUIT CULTUUTST. 

A proper distribution of the branches should be observ* 
ed, iind be so arranged that they shall be at regular dis- 
tances from each other. Tlien all little side shoots, that 
may appear in summer, should be pruned oif. The young 
shoots should be annually shortened, but to what extent 
will depend somewhat upon the amount of growth the 
plants have made, as well as upon the quantity and quality 
of fruit desired. Summer pruning, except to take out 
small weak shoots or to check the rampant growth of a 
particular branch which is attracting too much of the 
strength of the plant, is not beneficial, inasmuch as it of- 
ten causes young, weak, lateral shoots to be produced, 
which often fail to come to maturity. 

The Gooseberry may be trained as espaliers, or with a 
single stem and side spurs, or in almost any manner that 
one's fancy may suggest. 

The regular annual pruning may be performed at any 
time after the wood is fully matured in the fall, until the 
buds swell in the spring. 

SOIL AND CULTURE. 

The Gooseberry likes a good, deep, moist soil, but one 
that is not really wet. A rich soil is also essential, be- 
cause it is only by keeping up a vigorous growth that 
large fruit and abundant crops can be secured. An open, 
airy situation is better than one that is confined, and in 
many sections of the country the north side of a hill 
would be far preferable to a southern exposure. The ex- 
treme heat of our summer has been the greatest impedi- 
ment to the successful cultivation of the English Goose- 
berries, and to counteract this, the coolest available situa- 
tion should be selected. Also, in enriching the ground, 
use no fermenting manure ; apply none but that which is 
old and well rotted. Cow maimre is far better than horse 
manure, particularly on light, warm soils. Mulching the 
plants in summer is very beneficial, and if tan bark or 



GOOSEBEERY. 227 

Bpent hojos from a brewery can be obtained, they should 
be used in preference to hay or straw. Good culture ia 
required to produce good crops, the same as with other 
fruits. 

Mildew. — This is the one great enemy to the Goose- 
berry in the United States. It not only attacks the fruit, 
but often extends over the whole plant, effectually check- 
ing its growth. 

So prevalent has this disease become, that the foreign 
varieties are almost universally discarded, as there are few 
locations where they will succeed. 

There are many remedies whicli have been from time 
to time recommended, and they often appear to be effectual, 
while in other instances they are of no use whatever. 

The following remedies against mildew are worth try- 
ing, although they cannot be called radical cures : 

Scatter flour of sulphur over the bushes soon after 
the berries have set, and repeat the application occasion- 
ally until the fruit is ripe. 

Water the plants with strong soap-suds, or dissolve one 
pound of potash in a barrel of water, and then sprinkle 
the plants once a week with it. 

Soak fresh mown or dry hay in brine for twelve hours ; 
then cover the entire surface of the soil about the plants 
with this, as a mulch. If hops, tan bark, or other mulch 
has previously been applied, then sprinkle it with salt ; a 
single handful to each plant will be sufficient. 

All of these remedies will often fail, but still they are 
worth trying. Old plants are more liable to suffer from 
mildew than young ones, therefore it is best to keep a 
supply of fresh plants always on hand; in fact, so long as 
you (.'an keep the plant growing vigorously, there is but 
httle danger from mildew. 

I have often seen the foreign varieties doing splendidly 
in a half shady situation, such as the north side of a wall 
or fence, or in the shade of trees ; but such a situation 



228 SMALL FRUIT (.'.ULTURIST. 

cannot be recommended as the best, because mildew doea 
destroy plants under just such circumstances. No effec- 
tual remedy can be given, nor the best location pointed out, 
because the experiences of different cultivators are so con- 
flicting, that the one which appears to be the best in one 
location, would seem to be the very poorest for another. 
Wherever the foreign kinds will grow without being at- 
tacked by mildew, they are certainly for preferable to any 
of our native ones; but my own remedy against mildew 
is, to cultivate none but the native varieties, for with these 
I have never experienced the least trouble, nor as yet had 
a berry affected by disease of any kind. 

INSECTS. 

The Gooseberry and Currant are so nearly related, tliat 
many of the injurious insects are common to both. The 
Currant-moth, {Abraxis,) is equally destructive to the 
Gooseberry, while the Cui-rant-borer seldom, if ever, at- 
tacks it. Harris, Fitch, and other entomologists, describe 
quite a number of insects that are occasionally found upon 
the Gooseberry, but thus far their ravages in this country 
have not been very extensive. The following are occa- 
sionally met, and if they should become numerous, would, 
at the same time, become very injurious: 

Lecauium Cynosbati. — Gooseberry Bark-louse. — 
(Fitch.) — Attacking the stalks of the wild Gooseberry; a 
hemispheric, smooth, shining resin-brown reale, commonly 
freckled with dull yellow dots, and with a dull yellow 
stripe along its middle. Remedy, close pruning, and an 
application of potash dissolved in water; one pound to 
eight gallons of water. 

Pieciloptera pruinosa — Mealy Flata — {Sa}/.) — A small 
four-winged fly, of a dark bluish color, covered with a 
mealy white powder, which attacks the leaves late in the 
season, puncturing the leaves and young shoots, sucking 
the juices of the plant. 



GOOSEBERRY. 229 

Probably, dusting the plants with ashes or lime "woula 
destroy them, or at least prevent their attacks. 

Cecidomyia Grossulariae — Gooseberry Midge — {Fitch.) 
— "The berries turning red prematurely and becoming 
putrid, having in them small, briglit yellow maggots, of 
an oblong-oval form, and slightly divided into segments 
by fine impressed transverse lines ; changing to pupaa in the 
berries, and in the latter part of July giving out a small 
two- winged fly, resembling a musquito, of beeswax yellow 
color." The berries should be gathered so soon as they 
Bhow signs of premature ripening, and fed to hogs, or 
otherwise destroyed. 

In addition to the above, and the various insects in- 
jurious to the Currant and Gooseberry, there are several 
others wliicli occasionally do some harm, either to the 
leaves or fruit. There is a minute moth which breeds in 
the fruit, the caterpillar eating out the center of the berry. 
In wet seasons a species of Plant-Louse (ApJds rihis) 
infests the Eed Currant, but does not attack the black 
varieties, or the Gooseberry, but none of these are very 
destructive, and the cultivator can usually get rid of 
them by the use of the simple insecticides usually at 
hand. Those who are familiar with the habits of insects 
can do much by removing the eggs, often laid in clus- 
ters, and destroying them before they hatch, and the 
I: rood is scattered. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE. 

There is far less demand for the Gooseberry than almost 
any other of our small fruits. It is generally gathered 
before it is ripe, and sold for making pies, tarts, etc., con- 
sequently, the demand for it is not so great as for other 
fiuitSj which are used for a greater variety of purposes. 

In the New York markets, the price varies from one to 
three, or four dollars per bushel. But whether the de* 



230 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

maiid would warrant a very extended culture, is uncertain, 
at least. Eacli cultivator will have to be his own judge in 
tlie matter, and if he can be sure of obtaining two dollars 
per bushel, he can make Gooseberry culture profitable, at 
least with the native varieties. Two to four hundred 
bushels per acre can be grown of these kinds, and the 
cost of culture, gathering, marketing, etc., ought not to 
be pver fifty cents per bushel. I have grown the 
Houghton Seedling, (which I do not consider the best or 
most profitable,) and sold the fruit for one dollar and fifty 
cents per bushel, and believe it was a profitable transac- 
tion. 

NATIVE VARIETIES. 

Cluster. — {American Red^ Dutch Joe, Pale Red, St 
Clair, Roberts' Sweet Water, etc.) — Small, oval, about 
three-fourths of an inch long; reddish purple; sweet, 
juicy, and good. Bush, a strong, slender grower; leaves 
light, bright green ; very productive. 

Cluster Seedling.— Similar to its parent, but slightly 
more upright in growth, and the leaves of a pale grayish- 
green. 

Downing* — Medium to large, oval, about f of an inch 
long ; greenish-white ; excellent flavor. Plant, an upright 
grower ; leaves deep shining green ; very productive ; 
probably the best native variety. 

Originated with Charles Downing, New burgh, N. Y. 

Houghton's Seedling. — Fruit small to medium, round- 
ish-oval, pale red, sweet, tender, and very good ; leavea 
deep shining green. The young plants upright in growth, 
but as they become old they assume a spreading, almost 
weeping habit. A vigorous and productive variety, and 
is seldom afi"ected by mildew. Originated with Abel 
Houghton, Lynn, Mass. 

Mountain Seedling. — Large, roundish-oval, pale red ; 
skin rather tough and thick, but of fair quality. The 



GOOSEBERRY. 231 

largest of the native varieties ; often over an inch in length. 
Plant a coarse, spreading grower, with very strong spines. 
Productive and vahiable. 

Oiighiated with the Shakers, at Lebanon, Pa. 

FOREIGN VARIETIES. 

To attempt to give a list of the best foreign varieties, 
would be the hight of folly on my part, inasmuch as there 
is no dozen or more sorts upon which any two of the 
most experienced English growers would agree. 

The number of really first class varieties known in 
England is almost innumerable, and a host of new ones 
are brought forward every season. To give some idea of 
the attention which is paid to the culture of this fruit in 
England, I will state that the Annual Gooseberry Grow- 
ers' Register, for 1863, is a volume of over 200 pages, and 
gives reports of one hundred and fifty-five Gooseberry 
shows. 

When the horticulturists of the United States Avill sup- 
port as mnny exhibitions for the purpose of showing any 
one or all the small fruits combined, then we shall have 
no need of looking to other countries for new varieties. 

Among the old varieties which have been known in this 
country for twenty to forty years, and are still esteemed 
as good as any, I will name the following : 

Red. — Ironmonger, Warrington, Red Champagne, Red 
Walnut. 

GnEEN. — Green Walnut, Green Globe, Green Gage, 
White Smith. 

Yellow. — Golden Drop, Sulphur, Conqueror, Yellow 
Champagne, Hunt's, Tawny, Royal Sovereign. 

White. — Large Crystal, Royal George, White Dutch, 
White Walnut. 



232 SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 

Among the very newest and larsjest varieties which 
have taken premiums at the great Gooseberry shows in 
England, I give the following twelve as the heaviest nam- 
ed in this record : 

Red. — Leicester's Smoker, Brotherton's Foreman, Pilk- 
inton's Farmer. 

Green. — Prophet's Diadem, Becket's Bravo, Brother- 
ton's Birchen Lane. 

Yellow. — Wilkinson's Oyster Girl, Eardlay's Hannah. 

White. — Shingler's Edna, Miss Soars, Walton's Annie. 

The heaviest berry weighed 29 dwt. 12 grs. ; and the 
lightest 16 dwt. 2 grs. 

But to produce berries of the weights given requires 
extra care, more than probably any of our cultivators 
would be likely to give to the Gooseberry, even if oui 
climate was as suitable to its culture as that of England. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CORNELIAN CHERRY.-lCoiiNrs.) 
Natural Family Cornace^. — (Dogwood or Cornel.) 

[Name derived from Cormi^ a horn, alluding to the hardness of the wood. In 
French, Comouitler : Dutch, Komoelje ; German, Kcyrnd Kirscfie ; Italian, Cory' 
nulo; Spanish, Cornqjo.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

The species constituting this genus are mainly deciduous 
shrubs or small trees. Flowers small, inconspicuous, but 
in some species they are surrounded by a large and showy 
involucre, which is sometimes called the flower, as in one 
of our native species, ( Cornus floridci). There is but one 
known species which produces fruit worthy of our atten- 
tion. 

Cornus maSCUlai — Cornelian Cherry. — Shrubs growing 
ten to twenty feet high, with smooth branches ; leaves 
oval, acuminate, of a dull green color ; flowers small, yel- 
low, in clusters, produced early in spring, before the leaves ; 
fruit oblong, about one inch in length and half an inch in 
diameter; color bright reddish-scarlet; flesh firm, slightly 
juicy when ripe, acid, not particularly agreeable in its raw 
state ; fruit ripens in September, but remains a long tim^ 
on the bush, which makes it exceedingly ornamentaL 
233 



234 



SMAT-L FEUIT CULTURTST. 



A variety of this species produces fruit of a bright yel- 
low color. The fruit is a little larger than the red, and not 
quite so acid. 



HISTORY. 



The Cornel, as it is generally called in our older works 
on gardening, is a native of the South of Europe and 




Fiff. 99. — CORNELIAN CHERRY. 



Eastern Asia. It is mentioned by nearly all of the ancient 
writers. Sometimes the fruit is named, while others praise 
the quality of the wood, which is very hard. That it was 
formerly used for arrows and javelins, we infer from the 



CORNELIAN CHERRY. 235 

frequent allusions made to it in connection with imple- 
ments of war. Homer, in the Odyssey, Book xiv, says : 

*• His cornel spear, 
Ulysses waved to rouse the savage war." 

It is also mentioned in a similar connection in Virgil's 
Gcorgics. 

Theophrastus and Pliny are supposed to refer to it when 
speaking of some of the hard kinds of wood growing wild 
in Italy. But these writers are generally so vague in their 
descriptions, that it is difficult to determine what particular 
trees or plants they were endeavoring to describe. 

Nearly every English author, from Tusser, who, in his 
work written in 1557, called them Cornel Plums, down 
to the present time, have mentioned the Cornel. Some 
eulogize the beauty as w^ell as quality of the fruit, while 
others refer to it as merely an ornamental plant. The 
name Mascula or Mas was given it from the fact that 
plants grown from seed produce only staminate or male 
flowers for the first ten to fifteen years ; afterwards flowers 
of both sexes appear, followed by fruit. It appears to 
have derived the name of Dogwood from a wild species 
found in Britain, which bears a small fruit, not edible. 
Parkinson says this wild species was called hounds-tree, 
(dog-berry tree,) because the fruit was not fit for the dogs ; 
hence the name Dogwood, which has become the common 
name of the whole genus. The Cornelian Cherry is not 
very plentiful in the United States, although nearly every 
nurseryman keeps the plants for sale. The long time 
which it requires to bring seedling plants into bearing, has 
been one reason why we see so few in private gardens. 

In the older nurseries and gardens near our eastern 
cities, bearing plants are frequently seen, but they are not 
80 common as their merits deserve. 

The plants live to a great age, and there are specimens 
in Europe, which are known to have been planted more 
than two hundred years. 



236 SMALL FEUIT CUITURIST. 

PROPAGATION. 

By Seeds. — Plants are more generally grown from seed 
than otherwise ; consequently, for reasons previously stated, 
they are a long time coming into bearing. The fruit 
should be gathered in the fall, and the seeds separated 
from the pulp ; then mixed with earth, and buried where 
they will keep moist, and not be disturbed until the ensu- 
mg autumn. They will seldom, if ever, germinate the 
first season ; consequently there is no use of sowing them 
where it is desirable to have them grow, and be obliged to 
cultivate the ground where there are no plants. When 
the seeds have remained one season in the rot-heap, (to use 
a gardener's phrase,) take them out and sow in drills, plac- 
ing the seeds two or three inches apart, and cover two 
inches deep. The seedlings produce a mass of small 
fibrous roots, and can be rapidly transplanted in spring or 
autumn. If bearing plants are at hand, from which buds 
or grafts can be obtained, then it is better to use the seed- 
lings as stock. In this case, they should be transplanted 
from the seed-beds into rows four feet apart, placing the 
plants about a foot apart in the rows. The seedlings will 
usually be large enough to work the third year. 

Cuttings. — These should be made of the one year old 
wood, and in the same manner as described in the preceding 
chapter for the Barberry. The cuttings do not root very 
freely, and to insure even moderate success, the ground 
should be kept very moist during the early part of the 
season, or until roots are produced. A deep, moist soil is 
requisite, and if covered with mulch, so much the better. 

Layers. — This is the most common mode of propagat- 
ing from bearing plants. Put clown the layers in early 
spring, cutting them as usual with woody plants, and they 
will generally be sufficiently rooted to be removed from 
the parent plant in autumn. 

Layers do not usually make as handsome plants, as s^^d- 



CORNELIAN CHERRY. 237 

lings ; still they are preferable, because they will produce 
fruit when quite young. 

Budding. — This operation should be performed, in the 
usual manner, so soon as good, well developed buds are to 
be obtained from the young wood of the present season's 
growth. 

Grafting. — This should be done in the spring, just be- 
fore the leaves start, and upon young stocks, such as seed- 
lings of two to four years old ; the whip or splice graft is 
preferable to the wedge. 

CULTIVATION. 

There is no particular skill required in cultivating the 
Cornelian Cherry, as the plant is far from being a delicate 
one. It will grow in almost any good, garden soil. In 
England, it is said to prefer a calcareous one, but the larg- 
est and best plants, with which I am acquainted, are in a 
compact loam, approaching a clay. An open, but some- 
what sheltered situation is preferable on account of the 
plant blooming so very early ; the flowers are often de- 
stroyed by spring frosts, unless protected, or where there 
is just sufficient circulation of air to prevent freezing. A 
strong, direct current of air will often blast the flowers, 
when the same degree of cold would not injure them if 
the air was still, or only moved by a gentle breeze. 

VARIETIES. 

There are, it is said, other edible varieties besides the 
two which I have named, but I have no personal knowl- 
edge of their merits. There is a variegated leaved variety 
which I have cultivated for several years, but up to the 
present time it has produced no fruit. 

Uses. — In former times, when better fruit was scarce, 
Cornels were used for various conserves and to mix with 



238 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

apples and pears for making cider. It is doubtful if it 
will ever become a popular fruit with us, unless better 
varieties that those we now possess are produced. Its 
beauty, however, commends it to the attention of every 
one who possesses a garden. 

Diseases and Ijs sects. — None, or so few as not to be 
worth naming. 



CHAPTER IX. 



CRANBERRY.— VACcmruM. 

Ericace^, or Heath Family. 

[Vacdnium Oxi/coccus, an ancient Latin name of obscure derivation. French 
name is Birdie ; German, Heidelbeere ; and Mooreberrie. The Sub-family name, 
Oocycocciis, is derived irovaoxiis, sharp or acid, and kokkus, a berry, in reference to 
the acid taste of the berries. The name Cranberry is supposed by some authors 
to have been given it because the fruit stem is croolced like a crane's-bill, while 
others state that it was because cranes were fond of the fruit.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Low, trailing, evergreen shrubs, with very slender 
oranches ; fruit-bearing stems erect ; flower bell-shaped, 
white, or tinged with red ; berry usually four to five-cell- 
ed ; seeds numerous. 

SPECIES. 

Taccinium OxycoccuSt — Small Cranberry. — Leaves 
ovate, acute, with revolute margins; stems very slender; 
berries very small, spotted when young, becoming red at 
maturity. Grows in peat bogs in nearly all of the North- 
ern States, also in Northern Europe. 

V. macrocarpoilt — Ct)mmon American Cranberry. — 
Leaves oblong, obtuse, glaucous underneath, with slightly 
revolute margins. Flower-stems erect ; fruit p^le pinkish- 
239 



240 SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 

white to deep red, one half to one inch in diameter; varia 
ble in shape, from globular, ovoid, ovate-oblong, bell- 
shajje, etc. 

V, erythrocarpOE. — Bush Cranberry. — Leaves decidu- 
ous, oblong-ovate, acuminate, bristly serrate ; stems erect, 
liexible ; two to four feet high ; berry small, red, dry and 
insipid. High mountains of Virginia and. North Carolina. 

msTORY. 

The Cranberry is almost exclusively a northern plant, 
and was probably not known to the Romans until their 
conquests in the North. In Northern Europe it has been 
highly appreciated for centuries, and immense quantities 
are annually brought into the English markets from Russia 
and Sweden, in addition to those produced in Britain. 
The American Cranberry, VI macrocarpon, was intro- 
duced into England in 1760, and, although acknowledged 
to be superior to the common European species, still we 
have no accounts of its being cultivated there to any con- 
siderable extent. 

The first settlers in America found the Cranberry in 
such abundance that there was no necessity for cultivat- 
ing it, until the population became so numerous that the 
natural supply would not equal the demand. This point 
was reached about thirty years ago, at which time nu- 
merous experiments in its cultivation commenced at Cape 
Cod, and in a few other places. 

Previous to this time, however, an occasional plot had 
been cultivated. Kenrick, in the New American Orchard- 
ist, 1832, says : Capt. Henry Hall, of Barnstable, Mass,, 
has cultivated the Cranberry for twenty years. In the 
New England Farmer, Vol. IX, No. 18, is an account of 
a Mr. F. A. Hayden, of Lincoln, Mass., who, in 1830, sold 
from his farm 400 bushels of Cranberries for six hundred 
dollars. From these and a few other recorded instances 



CRANBERRY. 241 

of Cranberry culture, we infer that there were very few 
wlio attempted its cultivation previous to 1835 or 1840. 
Since that time there has been a steady increase, until, at 
the present time, thousands of acres are devoted to the 
culture of this fruit. Not only have individuals turned 
their attention to it, but companies have been formed 
with abundant means to cultivate the Cranberry upon an 
extensive scale. 

In addition to the benefit derived from having our mar- 
kets supplied with the fruit, its culture is a source of na- 
tional wealth, innsmuch as the land devoted to it was 
previously uncultivated, neither enriching individuals by 
its productions, nor yielding taxes to the State. 

Many of our low, boggy wastes, which formerly were 
sources of miasmatic diseases, have been changed into 
healthful locations and fruitful fields. 

PROPAGATION. 

To propagate some of our cultivated fruits successfully, 
requires more or less skill, but the Cranberry may be said 
to propagate itself. The plant, as it creeps along over the 
ground, throws out innumerable roots, fixing every por- 
tion of the prostrate stems to the soil. If these branches 
do not root as soon as desired, a little earth thrown over 
them will hasten the process. 

The plants may be taken up and planted whole, or be 
divided into small pieces, each of which will soon become 
a strong plant. Even the upright stems may be used for 
cuttings, and when planted in the spring, they will become 
rooted by the next fall. 

The small green tips of the growing branches may be 
taken off in summer, and rooted under a bell-glass, or in 
ordinary glazed frames. 

Cultivators seldom have recourse to seeds for extending 
their plantations, but they may be planted for the purpose 
of producing new varieties as well as multiplying old 
11 



242 SMALI. FEUIT CULTUEIST. 

ones. The seeds should be prepared and kept tlirongh 
the winter in the same manner as recommended for the 
JSucMeherry in a suceeedhig chapter. 

Sow them in drills and keep free of weeds, either by 
hoeing or mulching with saw-dust, or tan-bark, if grown 
on dry soils, but if on low grounds, use sand instead. 
Transplant into fruiting-beds Avhen one or two years old. 

PREPARATION OF SOIL. 

Naturally, the common Cranberry is a semi-aquatic 
plant, requiring a constant supply of water to ensure its 
highest state of perfection. It is usually found in low peat 
bogs, where it is often entirely submerged in the winter 
months, and the roots are in contact with water during a 
greater portion of the year. 

While this is the condition in which we usually find the 
wild plants, yet, occasionally, they are found upon high and 
dry soils. Judging, however, from the position in which 
we find the greatest quantities, we conclude that a wet 
soil is the most natural one. If we leave the normal con- 
dition of the plant out of the question, and base our con- 
clusions entirely upon the results of the many experiments 
which have been made in the last thirty years, we find 
that their cultivation in wet soils has been attended with 
the best success and the most remunerative results. It is 
not to be assumed that they cannot be grown upon soils 
that are naturally dry, for we have many instances of suc- 
cess under such circumstances, but, as a whole, the upland 
cultivation has not been equally profitable with the low 
land. It is not altogether for the purpose of s\ipplyiiig 
the plants with moisture that abundance of water is re- 
quired, but for other purposes, among which are the fol- 
lowing : 

First. — Covering the plants in winter, thereby affording 
a protection from severe cold. 



CKANBERRY. 243 

Second. — Preventing the frost in spring from injuring 
the flowers. 

Third. — Destroying the Cranberry-worms, which some- 
times attack the plants and fruit. 

Assuming that these precautionary measures are neces- 
sary to the best results, it follows that a situation should 
be selected where the conditions named can be secured. 

Another important material, used in preparhig Cran- 
berry beds, is sand, which is spread over the surface of the 
soil. 

This not only in a great measure prevents the weeds 
from growing until the plants have entirely covered the 
beds, but keeps the fruit clenn, besides making the surface 
always open and friable. Sometimes the low peat beds 
are so rich in nutritive matter, unless sand is used, that the 
vines would grow so luxuriant that they would be unpro- 
ductive. 

In fact, very little alluvial soil is needed, and when the 
deposit is a foot in depth, it will be fully equal, if not supe- 
rior, to a situation where it is more abundant. In some 
sections, they are grown in what appears to be almost 
pure sand, there being scarcely a trace of nutritive matter 
to be found, the water and the materials held in solution 
therein, furnishing the principal portions of food to the 
plants. 

The first step in preparing a Cranberry bed is usually 
that of digging a broad, deep ditch entirely around the 
plot, for the purpose of draining ofi* the surface water, so 
that the ground may be cleaned. If the soil throwm out 
of the ditches is sufficiently compact, it may form the em- 
bankments; if not, then other soil must be added. When 
the water has been removed, then clear oif all trees, logs, 
brush, and other incumbrances; these may be burned on 
the ground, and the ashes scattered over the surface, pro- 
vided it can be done without endangering the soil. Some- 
times, when the soil is very dry, there is danger of its bum* 



244 SMALL FRUIT CULTUKIST. 

ing to considerable depth. Some cultivators remove all of 
the surface soil to the depth of six inches or a foot, and, in 
some cases, it may be beneficial for the purpose of bringino' 
the whole bed to a lower grade, but where this is not re* 
quisite, and sand is abundant, it is cheaper to spread on a 
greater depth of sand and leave the whole depth of nat- 
ural soil. 

Again, if the peat is deep enougli so that a portion can 
be spared, it should be carted off for manuring the adja- 
cent land, especially if it is of a sandy nature, for there is 
no more valuable manure, (barn-yard excepted,) than the 
top layer of these peat or muck swamps. It is always 
better to prepare the ground at least one season before 
planting, so that all weeds, brush, and roots, may be tlior- 
oughly destroyed; because if it is not done at the start, it 
will be a difficult operation after the ground is covered 
with plants. 

Where the soil is sufficiently firm to admit of being 
plowed and harrow^ed, it is best to do so, as by this means 
a more thorough preparation can be obtained, and at less 
expense than when wholly performed by hand. When 
the soil has been made level, and otherwise prepared, it 
should be covered with pure sand to the depth of from 
four to eight inches, tlie depth being regulated by the 
nature of the soil ; if it is very loose, then apply more 
than when comparatively compact, as more or less will 
sink into the soil below. 

A uniform depth is quite important, and can easily be 
obtained, provided the surface is made level before its 
application. 

The position and texture of the soil will suggest the best 
mode of application, whether by teams or otherwise. 

There are many locations where these peat-beds are un- 
derlaid with sand, and if the soil is not over one or two 
feet deep, and can be sufficiently drained to allow of their 
being conveniently worked, they may be trenched, bring* 



CRANBERRY. 245 

ing the required amount of sand to the surface, instead of 
hauling it from a distance. The sand should be pure, and 
not mixed with clay, loam, or other soil. All of these cir- 
cumstances should be taken into consideration when select- 
ing a location for Cranberry plantations. 

Often one set of embankments, flood-gates, etc., will an- 
swer for several parties, if they can agree and join together 
in the undertaking. The size of the bed is immaterial; it 
may be one acre or one hundred, provided it can be mad 
level, so that one portion shall not be covered deeper than 
another, when flooded. The embankments should be at 
least four feet high when first made, for they will settle 
some ; besides, it is best to have them a foot or more above 
liigh water mark, to guard against breaks. 

If one is in no hurry about planting, and is disposed to 
wait, the embankments may be formed and the ground 
flooded, and kept in this condition until the weeds, bushes, 
etc., upon it, are killed, after which the water may be 
withdrawn, and the preparation of the bed continued as be- 
fore dii'ected. 

COST OF PREPARING THE BEDS. 

There can be no reliable estimates given as regards cost 
of preparing Cranberry beds, inasmuch as no two will be 
situated exactly alike. It will cost as much to remove the 
brush, trees, and logs, etc., from one piece of land, as to 
fully prepare another for the reception of the plants. 

The estimates vary from one hundred to six hundied 
dollars per acre. 

A thorough preparation will always be found to be the 
cheapest in the end. 

PLANTING. 

The usual time of setting the plants is in the spring, but 
where the beds can be kept moist, the operation may be 
continued during the entire summer. Sometimes the plants 



246 SMA.LL FRTirr CULTURIST. 

are put out late in the fall, and covered with a sufficient 
depth of water to prevent the ground from freezing and 
throwing out the plants. The spring aud early summer 
are, however, considered the best time for planting. The 
plants should be set in rows, from eighteen inches to four 
feet apart, according to the quantity and quality of plants 
obtained. The object is to cover the entire surface of the 
soil with vines, so soon as possible ; consequently, the bet- 
ter the plants and the nearer togetlier they are placed, the 
sooner will this be accomplished. When large plants are 
to be had, and in sufficient quantities, it is better to place 
them about two feet apart, each way, than farther, and if 
the plants do well, they will entirely cover the beds the 
second season. Most of our larger plantations are made 
with plants taken directly from the wild beds, and they 
are removed in large clumps or sods. If there are any 
weeds or grass among the plants, they should be removed 
before planting, as they are more readily separated from 
them at this time than after they are planted. 

Small holes are made in which the plants are set, and 
the soil is then pressed firmly about them. If small plants 
or cuttings are used, they may be planted nearer together 
than larger ones. 

SELECTION OF PLANTS. 

It is important that plants should be obtained from 
fruitful beds, as well as those which produce the largest 
and best fruit. There are occasional wild beds that pro- 
duce little or no fruit; these should be avoided. When 
plants cannot be obtained near by, from wild or cultivated 
beds, then they may be bought from those whose business 
is growing plants for sale. But the purchaser should en- 
deavor to inform himself in regard to the reliability of 
plant growers before ordering ; besides he should give im- 
perative directions that the plants should be carefully taken 
up and not be allowed to become dry before packing, as 



CRANBERRY. 247 

well as that the latter operation should be performed iu 
tlie best manner. A very little extra expense in packing, 
or in procuring plants of the best quality, will often be re- 
paid a hundred fold in the first crop. Cranberry planta- 
tions are expected to be a permanent investment which 
shall give annual returns for a lifetime ; it therefore be- 
comes very important that every precaution should be 
taken to make it as perfect as possible. 

CULTIVATION. 

For the first two or three seasons the beds should be 
carefully cultivated, and no weeds or sprouts from brush- 
roots be permitted to grow. The amount of labor requir- 
ed is usually fir less tlian with ordinary farm crops, still 
a constant attention is necessary, so that the plants shall 
have the full benefit of the entire soil, and not be obliged 
to combat with weeds, grass, or other impediments. When 
the plants have gained possession of the whole surface, 
there will be very little cultivation required. An occa- 
sional sprout or clump of grass may appear, which it will 
be necessary to remove. 

APPLYING WATER. 

The water should be let on to the beds at the approach 
of cold weather, not until the ground begins to freeze, but 
before it has become frozen hard. The time will vary in 
difiTerent locations, and the cultivator must apply it ac- 
cording to circumstances, and not be guided by set rules 
as to time. The beds should be covered, so that the water 
will be deep enough to prevent freezing the plants. At the 
North, it should be at least two feet deep, while south of th« 
latitude of New York, one foot will ordinarily answer. It 
should remain upon the beds until the cold weather is past 
in the spring, when it should be drawn oflT, leaving it about 
two inches deep over the surface, until all danger of frost 
18 past. 



248 SMALL FKurr culturist. 

Where late spring frosts are known to be frequent and 
severe, it is best to keep on tlie full depth of water until 
there is no longer any risk. The longer the water is kept 
on, the later will the plants bloom. 

In some locations the plants are covered for about four 
or five months in winter, while in others, two or three will 
be sufficient. 

There is no danger of the plants being injured by the 
water so long as it remains cool, and the later it is kept 
on, the less the danger of spring frosts injuring the flowers. 
Sometimes it is beneficial to flow the beds in summer at 
time of drouth, but in such cases it is only necessary to 
apply sufficient to give the soil a good soaking. If the 
water is admitted into the ditches which surround the 
beds, (if they are not too large,) it will be sufficient to 
prevent injury from drouth. 

GATHERING. 

Formerly the berries were gathered with an irtstrument 
called a Cranberry rake, but of late years this method has 
been almost entirely abandoned, and hand picking has 
taken its place. When gathered by hand, the fruit is not apt 
to be crushed, besides a far less amount of dirt and leaves 
are mixed with them ; consequently hand-picked fruit will 
bring a much higher price than any other. Various kinds 
of baskets, crates, hurdles, &c., are used in gathering the 
fruit ; the main object being to allow all foi'eign materials, 
gathered with it, to fall through when being carried in the 
field, or when spread out to dry. All unsound berries 
should be carefully picked out before the fruit is packed 
for market. 

VARIETIES. 

Like other fruits, the Cranberry varies considerably in 
its wild state ; besides, when cultivated, new variations are 
constantly occurring. All the varieties in cultivation at 



CRANBERllY. 



249 




Fig. 100.— CHERRY 
CRANBERRY. 



the present time in this country, belong to one species, the 

T^ niacrocarpon. These vary in size, from a half inch up 

to an inch or over in diameter. Fig. 100 shows a variety 

usually called the Cherry Cranberry, and 

fig, 101, one of the l.irgest of the Bell 

variety. Fig. 102 illustrates the Bell 

form, and in fig. 103 we give an exnct 

representation of some remarkably fine 

specimens, raised by Mr, Orrin C. Cook, 

of South Milford, Mass. There are many 

other shapes intermediate between these, 

but we have given the principal ones. 

In color, the varieties vary from a greenish-yellow or 
white to dark, rich purple. New varieties are behig pro- 
duced, and, doubtless, in a few years, great improvements 
will be made in the size, if not in the quality, of the Cran- 
berry. 

INSECTS. 

There appear to be two kinds of worms which infest 
the Cranberry. One of tliese attacks the young fruit, 
and the other the plants. The first is described as a small 




Fig. 101, — BUGLE CRANBERRY. 

worm about half an inch in length, with a black head ; 
the other is about the same length, with a red head. 

Although it is said that these worms are very aestruo 
11 



250 



SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 



tive in some sections of the country, there appears to be 
no definite information as to their origin, period of life, or 
what kind of insect produces the eggs 
from which they are hatched. These 
worms are more destructive in beds that 
are not flooded than elsewhere. When- 
ever the plants and fruit are attacked, the 
water should be let on to the beds and 
allowed to remain for six to twenty-four 
hours ; this w^ould doubtless destroy the 
W'orms without materially injuring the 
plants. 

The ravages of the Cranberry worms have not been very 
extensive, nor very wide spread, and, although I have visit- 
ed many hundreds of acres of Cranberry beds, I have not 
as yet seen one of these worms ; neither have I been able 
to find a description of them, or their scientific names, in 
any work on entomology. It is to be hoped that for the 




Fig. 102.-BELL 
CRANBERRY. 




Fig. 103.— LARGE CRANBERRY. 

sake of science, some one who has an opportunity will 
investigate this subject, and give us the results. 



UPLAND CULTURE. 



Although the cultivation of the Cranberry upon dry up- 
land cannot be recommended as equal to lowland cultiva- 



CRANBERRY. 251 

tion, still it possesses so much that is interesting and advan- 
tageous that it deserves the attention of those who have 
no other means of growing them. Even a partial success 
will very often be highly remunerative, besides aflbrding 
much pleasure to the cultivator. 

There are but few gardens or soils where the experiment 
is not worth trying on a small scale, even if it is not suc- 
cessful, because the expense is so slight that a total failure 
would be no great loss of capital. 

A light sandy or loamy soil, one that is naturally moist, 
should, be selected, -if convenient, and prepared as thor- 
oughly as for a vegetable garden. If swamp-mud or peat 
can be had, it is well to give a liberal dressing, mixing 
it with the soil ; rake all level, and then plant in rows 
about two feet apart, and one foot apart in the rows. 
Hoe the plants as long as it can be conveniently done 
without disturbing them, after which no cultivation is re- 
quired, except to pull out large weeds or grass that may 
occasionally appear. 

If saw-dust can be had, it should be applied as a mulch, 
scattering a light dressing in among the plants ; this will 
keep the soil moist and assist in keeping the weeds down. 
A small plot of three or four rods square will, if they suc- 
ceed, be sufficient to supply an ordinary family. 

In addition to the value of the fruit, the Cranberry is 
an exceedingly ornamental plant at all times of the season, 
whether in fruit or flower. The variety known as the Bell 
Cranberry is generally planted on upland, but it is proba- 
ble that others, with proper care, will succeed equally as 
well. There are a few cultivators in the vicinity of New 
York who grow all of the improved varieties on upland, 
and claim that they are very successful with them. 
Judging from the fruit that has been shown by these gen- 
tlemen at our horticultural fairs, the berries grow to as large 
a size, if not in such large quantities, on upland as upon 
the low. By obtaining seeds from these upland beds, and 



252 SMALL FKUIT CULTUKIST. 

by producing new varieties therefrom, plants may be ol>« 
tained that will be better adapted to dry soils than any 
previously known. It is certainly worthy of trial, and I 
would advise all who have leisure and inclination to try 
the experiment fully and thoroughly. 

PROFITS OF CULTURE. 

The profits of Cranberry culture, like those from other 
fruits, depend somewhat upon the amount of care given 
the beds as well as upon the markets. There is also a lia- 
bility of failure from unforeseen causes ; still the Cranberry 
may be considered as certain as any other fruit. To make 
anything like a fair estimate in regard to profits, we are 
obliged to select from the reports of the various growers 
throughout the country, and draw our conclusions there- 
from. But in many instances these are so vague that we can 
only approximate to the truth. I have inserted a few of 
such as I deem reliable, omitting those which appear to be 
too far above the average ; 

Mr. Edmund Bagley, of Massachusetts, reports in the 
Journal of Commerce : cost of land, 812 per acre ; clean- 
ing, $100 ; vines and setting, $50 ; cultivation. $10 per 
year. The fourth year, average crop, 300 bushels per 
acre ; worth $2.50 per bushel. 

F. Trowbridge, New Haven, Conn., considers the usual 
average about 175 to 200 bushels per acre. 

Mr. Sullivan Bates says, that on beds that have been 
carefully prepared, the yield will be from 150 to 400 bush- 
els per acre. 

J. H. Baker, of Westport, Mass., reports the average 
crop about 175 bushels. 

Trowbridge and Davis, of Ocean County, IST. J., report 
10 acres in bearing ; crop 1,100 bushels ; although the 
beds were new, and have not arrived at an age at which 
a full crop could be expected. 



CRANBERRY. 253 

At ShamoDg, X. J., a small bed is reported to hav€ 
yielded 220 bushels per acre. 

W. R. Braddock, of Bedford, N. J., has 100 acres ; 20 
acres of which yielded, last season, 1866, an average of 
100 bushels per acre. The fruit sold for a price which left 
him 16,000 over and above all expenses. 

The above statements are about a fair average of the 
various reports received from the proprietors of Cranberry 
beds in the Eastern States. The price of tlie fruit varies 
from 12.00 to $6.00 per bushel. It is probable that when 
the immense beds, which are now being planted, have ar- 
rived at full maturity, our markets will be fully supplied, 
unless some new way of disposing of the fi'uifc is dis- 
covered, which it is very likely will be the cabe. 



CHAPTER X. 



HUCKLEBERRY.— (Family Ericace^i;.) 

Huckleberries were formerly all included under the 
genus Vaccinivm^ but botanists now separate tbem into 
the genera, Gaylussacia and Vacciaium. In general 
appearance they resemble one another, being branching 
shrubs, with bell-shaped or urn-shaped corollas and 2- 
parted anthers. The fruit is a 10 to many seeded berry. 
The Gaylussacias differ from' the Yacciniiims in having 
only one seed in each cell of the fruit, and tlieir foliage is 
often sprinkled with resinous dots. For our purposes it 
is convenient to consider them all under one head. 

The species best known in the United States as produc- 
ing edible fruit, are chiefly deciduous shrubs of medium 
size, blooming in May and June, and ripening their fruit 
from July to September. 

SPECIES. 

The number of species of Huckleberry is quite large, 
and I shall only name a few of the best. 

Gaylussacia frondosa. — Blue Dangleberry. — Leaves 
obovate, oblong, pale glaucous beneath ; branches slender, 
smooth. Fruit dark blue, covered with white bloom, sweet 
254 



HUCKLEBERRY. 255 

Rnd edible. Bush grows three to six feet high. Found 
tVom New England to Virginia in low grounds. 

G. resinosa. — Black Huckleberry. — Leaves oval or ob- 
long, clammy when young ; plants quite branching, the 
young shoots pubescent ; fruit black without bloom, with 
an agreeable flavor; bush, two to three feet high. Com 
mon in swamps and low grounds at the North. 

Vaccinium Pennsylvaniciim. — Dwarf Blueberry. — 
Leaves oblong, sometimes lanceolate, smooth and shining ; 
branches green, somewhat angled, occasionally warty; 
bush one to three feet, very prolific ; berries blue, ripening 
early. The fruit of this species is highly prized on account 
of its earliness, but it is not so agreeable in flavor as some 
others. Abundant in dry, sandy seasons, from Maryland 
northward. 

V. Canadense* — Canada Blueberry. — Leaves more or 
less downy, common in low grounds ; otherwise similar to 
the preceding species. 

V. corymbosiim. — Swamp Blueberry, or High-bush 
Huckleberry. — Leaves oval or oblong, variable in size and 
color. Shrubs four to ten feet high, common in low, wet 
places. Fruit black, covered with bloom, sweet but 
sprightly ; the best Huckleberry ; ripens late in the season, 
August and September. 

Fig. 104 shows a small branch, with bunch of fruit of natu- 
ral size. This species assumes various forms and colors; some- 
times the fruit is oval, approaching an oblong, while others 
are globular or slightly compressed. The Black High-bush 
Huckleberry, as it is generally called, is quite distinct, the 
fruit being destitute of bloom and of inferior flavor. It is 
disluiguished by the name of T^ corymhosum, var. atrococ- 
cum, by Dr. Gray. There are many other species and varie- 
ties growing wild all over the country. There are also 
foreign species, but none of them superior to those named. 
I do not think it necessary to enter into any minute details 



256 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 




Fig. 104.-SWAMP HUCKLEBERRY. 



HUCKLEBERRY. 257 

of the history or cultivation of this fruit, from the fact that 
there is nothing connected therewith which would make 
the subject interesting. The Huckleberiy is one of those 
fruits which have always been neglected ; none of our horti- 
cultural writers have deemed it worthy of any particular 
description, and but very few have thought it worthy of 
mention. ^ 

Why this neglect, I am at loss to understand, for the 
Huckleberry possesses naturally better qualities than even 
the Currant and Gooseberry. 

All of our northern species are perfectly hardy, produc- 
ing no thorns, (which is such a disagreeable feature with 
many of our small fruits,) and the plants are generally 
quite productive. 

The berries are more firm than the Raspberry, Black- 
berry, or Strawberry, consequently, will bear carriage 
well, and are suitable for market. 

Thousands of bushels are annually gathered from the 
woods and fields, but these sources of supply will not al- 
ways be available ; besides, Ave should not be content with 
depending wholly upon nature for either the necessaries 
or the luxuries of life, wliile a helping hand would not 
only increase the quantity, but improve the quality. 

Those species, which naturally grow upon high, dry 
soils, will probably be the best for garden culture ; still, be- 
cause a plant is found in its wild state in any particular 
soil or situation, it does not follow that similar circum- 
stances are always necessary for its best develojDment Avhen 
under cultivation. If nature invariably located plants un- 
der the most favorable conditions for growth, then improve- 
ments would be less certain and far more difficult than 
now. The history of horticulture aifords abundant testi- 
mony to the fact that many plants succeed far better in 
soils and locations differing very materially from the one 
in which nature has placed them, than otherwise. 

The Swamp Huckleberry, ( V. corymbosum^ is some- 
11* 



258 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

times found upon higli, dry soils, although it grows chiefly 
in locations where the roots are immersed in water for the 
greater poition of the year. That it will grow and pro- 
duce fruit upon high and dry soils, I have proved by ex- 
periment. 

There is no great difficulty in removing the plants from 
their native locality to the garden, but our main depend- 
ence for improvement should be upon seedlings, because 
they will always vary more or less from the parent, and by 
carefully selecting the best improvements, are certain. The 
seeds are quite small, and requii-e considerable care in sow- 
ing. 

A good plan is, to crush the berries, and mix them with 
fine sand ; then put them in a box or flower-pot, and bury 
in the open ground until spring. Prepare a seed-bed, the 
soil of which should be, at least, half leaf-mould, or peat, 
from a swamp ; the remainder may be any good garden 
soil. Surround the bed with boards, a foot or more in 
width, mix the soil thoroughly and rake level, then sow on 
the sand containing the seeds ; then sift over this soil suf- 
ficient to cover the seeds, about a quarter of an inch deep, 
give a good soaking of water and place a screen over the 
frame. It may be made of lath, coarse cloth, or anything 
that will partially shade the plants when they come up, 
but not wholly exclude the light. Keep the soil well wa- 
tered, applying the water with a watering-pot, or in such a 
manner that the seeds or plants will not be disturbed. The 
seedlings may be transplanted when one year old, if they 
have made a good growth, or remain in the seed-bed for 
two years. They will usually come into bearing in three 
to six years, at which time the best should be marked, so 
that they may be propagated. The inferior kinds may be 
thrown away, or be reserved for stocks, on which to work 
the others. Budding and grafting may be employed in 
propagation, as well as layers, the operation being per- 
formed in the usual manner. 



CHAPTER XL 



SHEPHERDIA. 

FAMILY ELJEAGNACE^, 

[Named in honor of John Shepherd, formerly curator of the Liverpool Botanic 
Garden.] 

GENERAL CHARACTERS. 

Deciduous shrubs, or small trees, witli silvery leaves ; 
flowers dioecious, the sterile 
ones, (fig. 105) having a four- 
parted calyx, and eight sta- 
mens ; the fertile flowers, (fig. 
106,) have an urn-shaped ca- 
lyx, enclosing the ovary whicli 
becomes a berry-like fruit. 
Leaves opposite, entire, de- 
ciduous ; the flowers very 
small, yellow, borne in the 
axils of the small branches. 

A very small family of 
plants, and there is but one 
species of this genus that is 
worthy of being cultivated 
for its fruit. 

Shcphcrdia ar^entea. — Buflklo Berry ; Rabbit Berry ; 
Grosse de Bujffle, of the French ; Hippophoe argentea, of 
Pursh. — Leaves oblong, silvery-white on both sides ; 
259 




Fig. 105. 



Fig. 106. 



260 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

branches rusty dull white, with many small thorn-like 
branchlets ; fruit round, dull red, spriglitly acid, agreea 
ble, borne in very compact clusters in the axils of the small 
branches, as shown in figure 107. Kipens its fruit in early 
autumn, or late in summer. 

Found on the banks of the upper Missouri, and other 
large rivers of the Northwest. It is seldom seen in cul- 
tivation, but it is really deserving of a place in every gar- 
den. The plant is quite ornamental, in addition to its edi- 
ble fruit, which is produced abundantly. The plant is very 
hardy, and grows quite readily in almost any good soil. 
The Shepherdia, being dioecious, it is therefore necessary 
to plant one of each sex to obtain fruit; consequently, 
those who may have occasion to send to the nurseries for 
plants, should be careful to order at least one of each kind, 
although if several are to be planted in a group, one sta- 
minate plant will be sufficient to fertilize a half dozen or 
more pistillate plants. 

At the present time, the Shepherdia is not grown as a 
market fruit, but the time may come when we shall see it 
in our markets, and it is moie than probable that new and 
improved varieties will be produced by some of our enter- 
prising fruit growers. The thorn-like character of its 
small branchlets makes it a suitable plant for ornamental 
hedges, and very probably it would be equally serviceable 
as the Buck-thorn and other similar plants, for turning 
cattle. It is well worthy of trial, and up to the present 
time I am not aware that it has been subject to disease, or 
attacked by any insect. 

PROPAGATION. 

Gather the berries when ripe, crush the pulp, and 
wash out the seeds ; then sow them, or preserve in sand, 
until the ensuing spring. The best method is, to sow the 
seeds in drills soon after they are gathered, covering an 
men or two deep. Transplant when one year old into 



SriErHERDIA. 



261 




Fiff. 107.— FRUIT OF SHEPHERDIA. 



262 SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 

nursery rows, placing the plants a foot apart in tlie row 
and the rows four feet apait. They will usually bloom the 
third year from seed, at which time every plant sliould be 
examined, and a label attached to each with the word 
staminate or pistillate, as tlie case may be, written upon 
each; common wooden labels, such as used by nurserymen, 
freshly painted at the time, will remain legible for two or 
three years. If it is more convenient to have the plants 
separated than to keep each one labeled, then they may be 
taken up after the sexes are determined, and each kind 
placed in a row by itself 

The Shepherdias produce very few suckers, but a\ hen 
any appear, they may be taken off and planted separately. 
Layers root very readily, and plants may be produced in 
this manner quite rapidly. 

It is quite probable that ripe wood cuttings will grow 
the same as the Cun-ant, but I have never had occasion to 
try this mode of propagation, because they grow so readily 
from seed that I have practiced this method in preference 
to others. Besides, there is always a chance, when grow- 
ing any kind of fruit from seed, of producing something 
better than the original, consequently, tlie very uncertainty 
becomes fascinatmg to the true lover of horticulture, and 
the hope of the thing lightens the otherwise irksomeness 
of the task. 

There is another species of Shepherdia found in the 
Korthein States, the fruit of which is very insipid. I 
copy the description from Gray's Manual of Botany : 

Shepherdia Canadensis. — Canadian Shepherdia. — 
"Leaves elliptical or ovate, nearly naked and green 
above, silvery-downy, and scurfy with rusty scales under- 
neath ; fruit yellowish-red ; rocky or gravelly banks ; Ver- 
mont to Wisconsin, and northward. A straggling shrub, 
three to six feet high ; the branchlets, young leaves, yel- 
lowish flowers etc., covered with the rusty scales. Fruit 
insipid." 



CHAPTER XII. 



PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 

To grow a crop of fruit is but the initial step towards 
the successful termination of the enterprise. 

If the fruit is to be sent to market, then crates, baskets, 
etc., are necessary for gathering and transporting, all of 
which should be provided in advance of the ripening of 
the crop. The number of baskets required per acre can- 
not be given, inasmuch as the product will not be the 
same in any two seasons, but it is i^lways best to provide 
enough, for if the supply should fall short in the busy part 
of the season, it might cause consideiable loss. 

We will suppose that a grower expects to send a thous- 
and baskets per day to market, during the season, of any 
particular kind of small fruit, and if he sends them by 
railroad or steamboat, to a distance of twenty miles or 
more, he must not expect to have any baskets or crates 
returned in less time than six to ten days after the time 
of the first shipment, unless he has better success than 
usual with fruit growers in this vicinity ; consequently 
he will have to provide six to ten thousand baskets to en- 
able Lim contirme s-atherinc::. 

Sometimes, owing to the negligence of the commission 
merchant, no baskets will be returned for two or three 
263 



264 SMALL FRUIT CTILTUEIST. 

-weeks, and a very large extra supply of baskets will be 
necessary to prevent a corresponding loss. 

Ten thonsand baskets, with a corresponding number of 
crates, should be provided, if a thousand baskets are to be 
picked per day. 

To the inexperienced in these matters, this may seem 
to be an unnecessary outlay, but fruit growers in the East- 
ern States, at least, have learned that a little, or consider- 
able, extra capital invested in baskets will quite often 
insure them against great losses. 

Any one who has ever looked through the New York 
markets, soon after the close of the Strawberry season, 
must have noticed thousands of baskets and crates lying 
around loose, or being piled up in the streets, where the 
boys make bonfires of them at night, and thus the prop- 
erty of the fruit grower is often destroyed through the 
willful neglect of those to whom the fruit was consigned. 

Many remedies have been tried to prevent this waste, 
but none have been entirely successful, unless it be that 
of sending very cheap baskets and crates, w^hich it is not 
expected will be returned. Many fruit growers are adopt- 
ino- this give away system, and under some circumstances 
it is probably the best, but under others it is doubtful if 
it is the most profitable in the end. 

An attractive exterior is a good passport, even in the 
fruit line, and I know of many instances where fruit put 
up in handsome baskets, and enclosed in extra finished 
crates, has sold for almost double the price of that sent 
to market in an inferior style of crate and basket. 

Many instances might be given in which neat, clean 
packages and carefully selected fruit, have well paid the 
grower for all his extra trouble and expense in sending it 
to market. If a man desires to secure a good reputation 
for the products of his garden and farm, he will see to it 
that they leave his premises in the best possible order, 
and be sure to put his name on each crate or other pack- 



PREPABATIOK FOE GATnERIKG FliUlT. 265 

age. Competition has become so great within the past 
ten years, that the cultivators of berries are compelled to 
exercise more care than formerly in selecting both fruit 
and packages, as buyers are now more critical and par- 
ticular as they gain experience. The old trays, each hold- 
ing several quarts of berries, and from which the fruit 
was measured out to customers, are no longer seen in 
our markets, except for some hard kinds like the Huckle- 
berry, and even for these this dishing-out system is very 
objectionable, to say the least. Of late years large quan- 
tities of the small fruits come to our northern markets 
from the South. This is especially the case with Straw- 
berries, for increased facilities in the way of rapid transit 
by steamboats and railroads, with refrigerators on both, 
have now made the shipping of perishable fruits possible 
when it would not have been thought of a score of years 
ago. The trade in such articles will no doubt increase in 
years to come, and growers will need new styles of baskets 
and crates, or those better adapted to the purpose than 
any now in common use. But whatever kind of pack- 
age is used, the grower will ever need to exercise great 
care in gathering and assorting his fruit. If his pickers 
are not instructed in regard to picking the berries in the 
best condition to stand the journey, the good may be in- 
jured by the poor, for half a dozen over-ripe berries in a 
basket are very likely to damage the entire lot. Green 
berries should also be avoided, but a few of these can 
be better tolerated than those that have become soft and 
commenced to decay. The topping out of the baskets 
with a few of the choicest and largest berries is an almost 
universal practice, and while in the abstract it might be 
called dishonest, still it is such a universal custom that 
no one is deceived. It's merely putting the best side out 
to attract the buyer. 

Crates and baskets are in some cases returned free by 
the railroad and steamboat companies, unless the distance 
13 



266 



SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 



to market is too great ; under such circumsfcances it is 
best not to expect it, but rather to ship the fruit in cheap 
baskets, unless it will bring enough more to i)ay for pack- 
ing in a better style. 

The tendency of late years is to let the basket or box 
go with the fruit to the purchaser, and it is really the 
better plan, because after a box or basket has been once 
used for berries, ifc is usually badly stained, and really 
unfit for further use. There are thousands of men in our 
cities who will stop at the market or fruit stands, and 
purchase a few quarts of berries on their way home in 
the evening, if sold boxes and all, but if required to re- 
turn the packages, or compelled to furnish some con- 
venient vessel for carrying the fruit, they would pass by 
without purchasing. For these and other reasons which 
might be given, the grower will find it for his OAvn inter- 
est to use what are termed the 
gift box or basket whenever 
possible. The grape growers 
have, of late years, adopted 
the free box, and their sales, 
as a result, have greatly in- 
creased, and without lessen- 
ing their profits. 

The most common basket 
used for the New York mar- 
ket is what is called the Jer- 
sey Strawberry basket, figure 
108 ; it requires from five to 
seven to hold a quart. Of 
late years this basket is less 
used than formerly, except 
for the smaller varieties of the Strawberry. They are 
usually made by the fruit growers themselves in winter, 
but sometimes they are made for sale, and the price varies 
from ten dollars to fifteen dollars per thousand. A half 




Fig. 108. — JERSEY BA.SKET. 



PEEPARATIOK FOR GATHERIKa FRUIT. 267 

dozen of the larger varieties of Strawberries will fill one 
of these Jersey baskets. 

The Easpberry baskets formerly used in New York 
State, were mainly of this style, but a little larger ; other 
kinds of baskets are now rapidly coming into use, and it 
is to be hoped that our small fruits will soon all be sold 
by measure, and not by the basket, regardless of its size, 
whether it be the size of a thimble, or will hold a half 
l^int or pint, as formerly. 

Baskets or boxes holding a pint or quart, full measure, 
are most in vogue at the present time, and new patterns 
are constantly being brought forward, each claiming to be 
an improvement upon its immediate predecessor. 

With most of the small fruits ventilation is requisite to 
preservation for even a very short time, and this very 
essential point has not been lost sight of by the manufac- 
turers of most of the new boxes or baskets now before 
the public. 

When fruit is only to be transported a short distance, 
and will reach the consumer within twelve or fifteen hours 
after being gathered, ventilation, farther than that which 
it will receive through an open crate, is not very import- 
ant, or scarcely necessary. 

The idea of ventilation applied to baskets or boxes is a 
good one, particularly for some kinds of fruit, but there 
is no necessity of carrying it to extremes, so that the ves- 
sels made for holding fruit are scarcely more than fragile 
wooden nets. 

The following are some of the most popular baskets 
now in use at the East : 

American Basket. 

This basket is made of two sizes, quarts and pints, and 
of the form shown in figure 109. They are very strong, 
of neat appearance, and one of the best baskets with 



268 



SMALL FRUIT CULTUEIST. 



which I am acquainted. Their peculiar form admits of 
their being very compactly 
nested for transportation, as 
shown in figure 110. 

The manufacturers also fur- 
nish crates to those who desire 
them. A thirty- two quart crate 
is shown in figure 111, each 
one being furnished with lock 





iff. 109. —AMERICAN BASKET. 



Fiar. 110.— stack of baskets. 



attached with a small chain. The fruit grower keeps a 
key to lock the crate, and the one to whom the fruit is 




Fig. 111. — crate of AM2RICAN BASKETS. 

consigned, has a duplicate, with which to open it when 
received. 

Ilallock Fruit Uox. 

A square box, figure 112, made of thin, light wood, 



PREPARATIOJir FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 



269 



^v\\\ 




with holes bored in the sides for yentilation, as shown. 
The bottom is set witliin the sides, and about three-fourths 
of an inch above the lower 
edge, so that when one box is 
set in the crate above the 
other, there will be a small 
space between the fruit of the 
lower one and the bottom of 
the one above. This also ad- 
mits of each box being filled 
a little more than even full, '^'S- ii3.-hai.lock fkuit box. 

and still the fruit will not be crushed by the one above it. 
These boxes are used in large quantities at the West, 
also considerably in some portions of the East. Some 
fruit growers object to any box or basket with perpen- 
icular sides, because the fruit will settle more in carrying 
than when the sides slope, as in the American basket. 
Theie are advantages in both forms, also disadvantages. 
A square box, with perpendicular sides, packs and remains 
more firmly in its place than any other, but ventilation 
through the sides cannot be obtained, and the fruit will 
crush more readily than in boxes with sloping sides. 

Free Fruit Box. 

Figure 113. As its name implies, this box is intended 




Fig. 113. — FREE FRUIT BOX. 

to be given away with the fruit. This will be quite con- 
venient for those who forget to take a basket with them 



270 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



l_ 



in the morning when going to business, and thereby have 
a very plausible excuse for not bringing 
/ >y home some fruit for tea. This box was 

^ invented for the purpose of relieving 
fruit growers of one of the most annoy- 
ing incidents of sending their fruit a long 
distance to market — the necessity of hav- 
ing their crates and boxes returned to 
them. It supplies a want 'which has 
always existed in the berry trade, and 
will be sold so cheap that it can be given 
away with the fruit. In appearance, it 
is remarkably neat, light, but substantial, 
while the fruit will always go to market 
in a perfectly clean box. Though given 
away, it will save the grower money, 
enal)le him to get a better price for his 
fruit, and put an end to the annual loss 
of boxes, besides saving him the neces- 
sity of keeping a vast quantity of the 
boxes and crates on hand to provide for 
the delay of returning them. 

The box is composed of two pieces of 
veneer. Figure 114 represents a piece 
which is folded up into four sides of the 
box. It is scored or cut at the dotted 
lines, so that it can be folded up into 
a shell as readily as a piece of paste- 
board. The tongue, at the left-hand 
end, buckles into the two slots at the 
right-hand end, just like closing a pocket 
book. A notch on the end of the tougiie 
catches so effectually, after beiug buckled 
in, as to hold the shell firmly together. 

The bottom is shown in figure 115. 
The two tongues at the end are also 



i'ig.ll4. — SIDE OF 
PBUIT BOX. 



PREPARATION FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 271 

scored or cut at the dotted lines, and being readily turned 
up, are buckled into the two sets of slots shown on the 
left-hand edge of figure 114. When thus buckled to- 
[ ' I gether, the' two 

-^ pieces form a 

\ perfect box, as 

seen in figure 

y 113, neither 

-^ nails nor glue 

being required. 



Fig. 115.— BOTTOM OS- BOX. aud the whole 

constituting a strong and beautiful box. The bottom 
cannot fall out, as it is firmly held in its place by the 
spring of the wood. The prominent advantages secured 
by the use of this box are as follows : 

1. The great desideratum of a box always nice and 
cleanly is, for the first time, secured. 

2. The commission agent being relieved from the great 
annoyance of hunting up and returning crates and boxes, 
as well as escaping the loss of them, will sell the fruit for 
much less than the usual commission. 

3. The return freight of empty boxes is saved, and this, 
added to the saving in commission, will more than pay 
for the cost of crates and boxes. 

4. Another saving is secured in sending to market, as 
one hundred of the Free boxes, quart measures, weigh 
only nine and one-third pounds, while one hundred of the 
old square quarts weigh fifty jDounds. As fruit in crates 
goes to market by weight, the new box saves eighty per 
cent of the weight. Any one can readily satisfy himself 
by a calculation of what is thus saved in freight to market, 
commission, and return of empty crate, that he will really 
save money by using a box that he can give away. It will 
be found cheaper to use a box only once than to continue 
using it many times. 

5. As these boxes are put together without nails or 



272 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



glue, they can be sent to distant growers, in the shape of 
flats, to be made up by children at odd times during the 
winter. The flats are scored ready for folding up, and as 
the wood bends at the joint without breaking, a small 

girl will learn in five min- 
utes how to put them to- 
gether. Many hundred box- 
es thus packed as flats can 
be got into a small com- 
pass, and at trifling cost of 




freight." 



Square Cbip ISas^lcet. 

Figure 116. Here we have 
an improvement on the 
Fig. 116.— SQUARE CHIP BASKET, commou Jcrscy basket. The 
slats are reversed, the wide one passing around the basket, 
and the small ones forming the uprights, thereby giving 
a comparatively smooth surface, allowing the baskets to 
be lifted out or put back into place in the crates, without 
catching upon those adjoining, and upsetting them, as is 
often the case with the common one. These baskets are 
made square, consequently packed very closely together, 
leaving no vacant spaces between them. An excellent 
basket for Easpberries. 

Ootliic Free Fruit Kox. 

This box is intended to be given 
away with the fruit. They are of 
an octagon shape, as shown in 
figure 117, made of veneer, and 
can be sent in flats and put to- 
gether by the fruit grower, thus 
saving much expense in trans- 
portation. The material, all ready to be put together, 
costs ten dollars per thousand. 




Fig. 117. — GOTHIC FREE 
FRUIT BOX. 



PREPARATIO:^' FOR GATHERIKG FRUIT. 



73 



This is a Ycry neat and |)retty basket, very strong and 
durable. Some oi: our fruit grow- 
ers obicct to it on account of the 
small strips of which it is made, be- ~^A\\\\\\lllil'lilil(/r!' .t 
cause, as the berries settle, they are 
injured, by being cut by the sharp 
edges. It is, however, an excellent 
basket, but probably on account of 
its cost is seldom, of late years, 
seen in our markets. ^i?- i18.-cook's basket. 




Xhe l*a,ra«;oii ISasket. 

Figure 119. Another neat, light box, of more recent 
introduction than the above, and much liked by the com- 
mission men. Three strips of thin whitewood form the 
bottom and sides of the basket ; the bottom hoop is dis- 




Fig. 119.— PARAGON BASKET. 

pensed with, as well as the extra bottom piece. There is 
ample provision for ventilation, and the shape of the top 
is round, thus enabling the fruit to show at its best. 

Belgian Stra>Tl>erry ISaskcl. 

This basket, figure 120, would probably not suit our 
American way of doing things, and is merely introduced 
to show *Miow they do it in Belgium." A correspondent 
of the ^* American Agriculturist," from which the ac- 



274 SMALL FKUIT CULTUEIST. 

companying illustration is taken, writes : '^ In travelling 
througli Belgium, in June, Strawberries are brought. to 
the car windows at every station — luscious, great berries, 
some red, some white, often as large as a pullet's egg, and 
temptingly displayed in shallow baskets, made of split 
willow, in the form given in the engraving. The con- 
struction is simple, strong, and inexpensive. A single 
willow withe forms the handle and middle support of the 




Fig. 130. — BELGIAN STRAWBERRY BASKET. 

bottom ; a second withe, bent to a circle, forms the rim ; 
and four others, i. e., two on either side, between the 
middle piece and rim, complete the foundation into which 
thin strips are braided. The depth is only a quarter inch, 
diameter three inches. On the bottom are a few fresh 
grape leaves, on which are placed the berries, nearly all 
exposed to view." 

Oiiernsey Fruit Box. 

This is a round box, figure 121, made of thin veneer 
and reversible, as either end may be used as the cover. 



PREPAKATIOiq' POR GATHERIiq^G PRUIT. 



275 



there being a thin band within which holds both ends to- 
gether. This box would answer better for Currants and 
Grooseberries, than for Kaspberries and similar fruit, as it 





Fig. 121. — GUERNSEY BOX. 



Fig. 133.— JOHNSTON'S CASE. 



is not ventilated ; but ventilation might be given by 
boring holes through one end. 

JToIiiiiiitoii's Preiniiim Fruit Case 

Is made up of four trays seventeen inches wide, twenty- 
three inches long, and three inches deep, holding a little 
over one half bushel ; side pieces, 1, in figure 122, half 
inch thick, three inches wide, twenty-three inches long ; 
ends, 2, three-eighths of an inch thick, three inches 
wide, and nineteen and a half inches long ; bottoms of 
three upper trays half inch thick ; standards, 5, two 
inches by three-quarters by fifteen ; cover cleats, 6, two 
inches by three-quarters by eighteen ; tops, 4, twenty- 
four inches by six by three-eighths ; handles, 2, twenty- 
three inches by two by five-eighths ; bot- 
toms of case twenty-four inches by six by 
half ; the bottom tray is made of heavier 
stuff, sides, 4, in figure 123, five-eighths of 
an inch thick, end one and a half mch thick 
and sides are let into the ends, as seen in 
1 ; this tends to strengthen the standard, 2, ^^^' ^^' 
which is firmly nailed to both side and end pieces. 
The trays are separated by slats three-eighths of an 




2116 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



incii by two inches, with the ends projecting about 
half an inch, as seen in figure 122. The cover has also a 
narrow slat at each end. The cover is fastened by bend- 
ing a piece of hooj) iron around the standard, and fasten- 
ing it to both sides of the cover cleats with screws, and a 
spring made of the same is attached to the inside edge 
of the standard, runs up through, and hooks over the 
band of hooj) iron, the standard being sawed out to admit 
of working the spring, as seen in figure 122. 

Care should be taken to make the trays all square, and 
the covers all alike, so that each will fit in any case. In 
order to have the standards all alike, the handles should 
not be put on until after the covers are. In getting out 
a bill of material, have it sawed in planks at the saw mill, 
as thick as you want the pieces wide, and have it worked 
up by circular saw. 

I am not aware that this style of case is in use at the 
East, but it is a western invention, and used by growers 
in that section. 



SiiiitU's <]<rape Box. 

Though made with reference to packing grapes, this 

box will answer 

for Currants, 

Gooseberries, and 

those fruits that 

do not especially 

need ventilation. 

The sides of this 

box are made of 

veneer, cut partly 

through at the 

edges where it 
Fiff. 124.— smith's grape box. t_ i ±1 

bends over the 

end pieces, which are thick enough to allow the sides to 

be nailed to them. The cover fastens down by tacking 




PREPARATIOiq" FOR GATHERING FRUIT. 277 

the flap to the ends. They are made with the sides, top, 
and bottom, all in one piece, as shown in figure 124:, or 
with these in two pieces, so that it is reversible and may 
be opened at either top or bottom. 

New styles of baskets are being brought out every sea- 
son, but they can scarcely be called improvements upon 
the old ones. 

GATHERING FRUIT. 

In sections where the small fruits are grown extensive- 
ly, women and children are chiefly em^oloyed to gather 
them, being paid so much per basket. 

The small Jersey Strawberries are generally pulled, as 
it is called, or separated from the calyx, or hull, when 
picked ; with the larger kinds it is left on. The price 
paid for picking varies from seventy-five cents to one dol- 
lar twenty-five cents per hundred for the small baskets, 
and three to five cents ]3er quart for the larger Strawber- 
ries, Raspberries, and Blackberries. At these prices, an 
expert hand will make two to three dollars j^er day where 
the fruit is abundant. 

The fruit should always be gathered in dry weather, 
and none should be picked in the morning while the dew 
is on. 

The usual method practised in the larger plantations 
is something like the following : 

A tent or temporary shed is erected in or near the field 
in which the fruit is grown, and the superintendent re- 
mains in this and takes charge of the fruit as it is brought 
m, giving each picker a ticket, stating the number of 
baskets brought m. When one or two hundred baskets are 
gathered, then the small tickets are taken up and a large 
one given, on which is printed good for one, two, or more 
dollars, as the case may be. These tickets are redeemed at 
the end of the week, provided the holder retains them 
until that time ; but with some a week is a very long 



278 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 




time to keep a promise to pay, and they sell them. In 
some portions of New Jersey, and perhaps elsewhere, 
these tickets pass current at the stores in the vicinity, 
and the merchants take them in exchange for goods, 
and when the season is over, present them to the proper 
persons for redemption. 

At the time of gathering, each picker is furnished 
with a stand (figure 125), holding ten to twenty-five 

baskets. When 
all are filled, they 
are carried to the 
tent and put into 
the crates, ready 



for sending to 
market. The small 

Kg. 125.-BASKET STAND. j^^,^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^.^ 

put into crates holding from one hundred and fifty to 
two hundred each, but when pint and quart baskets are 
used, from thirty to sixty go in a crate. 

The pickers have to conform to certain rules promul- 
gated by the nabob of the tent, for there must be disci- 
pline and system observed in fruit gathering, as in every 
other business, to produce the best result. JSTo picker 
must be allowed to encroach upon his neighbor, and when 
a row or bed is selected at the start, it must be retained 
until all the fruit for that time is gathered. The next 
bed or row must be taken by lot — and no dodging because 
it happens to be a poor one. 

The time of the vintage is one of rejoicing in the vine 
countries of Europe, and equally so is the time of gather- 
ing the small fruits in America. Good feelings prevail 
on all sides, and particularly if the crop is abundant, for 
both employer and the employed are abundantly rewarded 
for their labor. 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 



279 



TABLE OF DISTANCES. 



7b show at a glance the number of hills or plants contained in an acre of land, at 
any given distance from each otiier.from 'W feet by 40, to 1 foot by 1, omitting 
fractions. Divide tlie amount by 160, wUl show tlie No. for 1 rod. 



^eet feet 


per acre 


\^feet 


feet 


jyer acre. 


feet 


feet 


per acre 


^feet 
3 31 


feet per acre 


40 by 40 


27 


11 b7 5 


792 


5 6byl 6 


5280 


jy3 


4818 


39 .. 39 


28 


10 


. 10 


4S5 


— . 


. 1 


7920 


— 


. 2 9 


4882 


38 .. 38 


30 


— 


. 8 


M4 


5 0. 


. 5 


1742 


— 


. 2 6 


5361 


37 .. 37 


31 


— 


. 6 


726 


— 


. 4 6 


1936 


— 


. 2 3 


5956 


36 .. 36 


as 


— 


. 5 


871 


— . 


. 4 


2178 


— 


. 2 


6701 


35 .. 35 


35 


— 


. 4 


10S9 


— . 


. 3 


2904 


— 


. 1 9 


7(«8 


U ..U 


37 


— 


. 3 


1452 


— . 


. 2 6 


aiai 


— 


. 1 6 


89:« 


as . . as 


40 


— 


. 2 


2178 


— . 


2 


4:m 


— 


. 1 3 


10722 


32 .. 32 


42 


— 


. 1 


4356 


— . 


. 1 6 


5808 


— 


. 1 


l;«03 


31 . . 31 


45 


9 


. 9 


537 


— , 


. 1 


8712 


30 


. 3 


4^40 


30 .. 30 


48 


— 


. 8 


605 


4 6. 


. 4 6 


2151 


— 


. 2 9 


5289 


39 .. 2J» 


51 


— 


. 6 


806 


— . 


. 4 


2420 


— 


. 2 6 


5808 


28 .. 28 


55 


— 


. 5 


9r)8 


— . 


. 3 6 


27^5 


— 


.2 3 


645;i 


27 .. 27 


59 


— 


. 4 


1210 


— . 


.3 


3226 


— 


. 2 


72<K) 


26 .. 26 


64 


— 


. 3 


1613 


— . 


. 2 6 


3872 


— 


.1 9 


82^)7 


25 .. 25 


69 


— 


. 2 


^20 


— . 


. 2 


4840 


— 


. 1 6 


9(i80 


24 .. ^ 


75 


— 


. 1 


4a40 


— . 


. 1 6 


6453 


— 


.1 3 


11616 


23 .. 23 


82 


8 


. 8 


680 


— . 


. 1 


9680 


— 


. 1 


14520 


22 .. 22 


90 


— 


. 6 


905 


40. 


. 4 


2722 


2 9 


. 2 9 


5760 


21 .. 21 


98 


— 


. 5 


1089 


— . 


. 3 9 


2904 


— 


. 2 6 


633(; 


20 .. 20 


108 


— 


. 4 


1361 


— . 


. 3 6 


3111 


— 


. 2 3 


7(W0 


— .. 15 


145 


— 


. 3 


1815 


— . 


. 3 3 


3350 


— 


. 2 


7920 


— .. 10 


217 


— 


. 2 


1722 


— , 


. 3 


3630 


— 


1 9 


9051 


— .. 5 


4;« 


— 


. 1 


5445 


— . 


. 2 6 


4:^6 


— 


. 1 6 


10560 


19 . . 19 


120 


7 


. 7 


888 


— 


.2 3 


4mO 


— 


. 1 3 


12672 


— .. 15 


152 


— 


. 6 6 


957 


— 


. 2 


5445 


— 


. 1 


158-10 


— .. 10 


229 


— 


.6 


1087 


— 


. 1 9 


6222 


2 6 


. 2 6 


6969 


— .. 5 


458 


— 


. 5 


1244 


— . 


. 1 6 


7260 


— 


2 3 


7740 


18 .. 18 


lai 




. 4 6 


ias2 


— 


. 1 3 


8712 


— 


. 3 


8712 


— .. 15 


161 


— 


. 4 


1555 


— 


. 1 


10890 


— , 


. 1 9 


9950 


— .. 10 


242 


— 


. 8 6 


1777 


3 9. 


. 3 9 


3097 


— 


. 1 6 


11616 


— .. 5 


484 


— 


. 3 


2074 


— 


. 3 6 


a518 


— 


. 1 3 


13939 


17 .. 17 


150 


— 


. 2 6 


^489 


— 


. 3 3 


3574 


— . 


. 1 


17424 


— .. 15 


170 


— 


. 2 


3111 


— 


. 3 


3872 


2 3. 


. 2 3 


8t)04 


— .. 10 


256 


— 


. 1 6 


4148 


3 9 


. 2 9 


4224 


— . 


. 2 


9680 


— .. 5 


512 


— 


. 1 


6222 


— 


. 2 6 


4fU6 


— . 


. 1 9 


11062 


16 ..16 


170 


6 


. 6 


1210 


— 


. 2 3 


5162 


— . 


. 1 6 


12906 


— .. 15 


175 


— 


. 5 6 


1320 


— 


. 2 


5808 


— . 


. 1 3 


'54S8 


— .. 10 


272 


— 


. 5 


1452 


— 


. 1 9 


6637 


— . 


. 1 


a 9360 


— .. 5 


644 


— 


. 4 6 


1613 


— 


. 1 6 


7744 


20. 


. 2 


10890 


15 .. 15 


108 





. 4 


1815 


— 


. 1 3 


9272 


— . 


. 1 9 


12445 


— .. 10 


290 


— 


. 3 6 


2074 


— 


. 1 


11616 


— . 


. 1 6 


14520 


— .. 5 


580 


— 


. 3 


2420 


36 


. 3 6 


a5.35 


— . 


. 1 3 


17424 


14 ..14 


222 





. 2 6 


2904 


— 


. 3 3 


3829 


— . 


. 1 


21780 


— .. 10 


Hll 


— 


. 2 


3630 


— 


. 3 


4148 


1 9 


.1 9 


1422;J 




622 





. 1 6 


4S40 


— 


. 2 9 


4525 


— 


. 1 6 


16.594 


13 '. '. 13 


257 


— 


. 1 


7260 


— 


. 2 6 


4978 


— , 


. 1 3 


19913 


— .. 10 


as5 


5 6 


. 5 6 


1417 


— 


. 2 3 


5531 


— , 


. 1 


^4454 


— .. 5 


670 





. 5 


1584 


— . 


. 2 


6222 


1 6. 


.1 6 


19360 


12 .. 12 


302 





. 4 6 


1760 


— , 


. 1 9 


7111 


— . 


. 1 3 


2:3232 


— .. 10 


363 





. 4 


1980 


— 


. 1 6 


8297 


— , 


. 1 


2'.»040 


— .. 5 


720 





. 3 6 


2262 


, 


. 1 3 


9956 


1 3. 


. 1 3 


27878 


11 .. 11 


360 





. 3 


2(U0 


— 


. 1 


12445 


— , 


. 1 


a4a48 


— .. 10 


396 


— 


. 2 


3960 


3 3. 


. 3 3 


41^ 


1 0. 


.1 


43560 



GENERAL INDEX. 



^cidinm Bcrberidis 29 

Argeina obliisiitiim 83 

Barberry 20 

Culuueof 25 

'• History of 21 

" Diseases of 29 

Mildew 29 

" Propagation 21 

" American 20 

Blacli-fruited 28 

" Chinese 28 

Common 20-25 

Cretan 28 

" Fremont's 20 

Il)erian 28, 

" Magellan Sweet 20 

" Nepaul 20 

'' Purple-fruited 28 

" Purple-leaved 27 

" Siberian 28 

Sweet-fruited 27 

" Three-leaved 21 

Violet-fruited.... 28 

" White-fruited 27 

" Yellow-fruited 28 

Basket, American 268 

" Beljjian 274 

" Cook's 273 

" Jersey 2(;6 

"■ Paragon 273 

" Square Chip. 272 

Basket Stand 278 

Berberis 20 

aristata 20 

" Asiahca 20 

"■ bvxifoha 20 

" Canadensis 20 

Chtira 20 

" Cretica 28 

•' Frcmontii 20 



Berberis Iberica 

" rotundifoUa. 

" Sibirica 

" Sineuiris. ... 

" trifoliata 

" vuli^aris... 
alba. 



.20 



asperina. . 
dulcis... , 

glauca 

loiigifolia. 

lutea 

mitis 

nigra 

purpurea., 
violacea. ., 



Blackberry 

" Agawam. 



Albion . 

Ancient Briton 

Barnard 

Cape M;iy 

Claret 

Col. Wilder 

Common High.. .. 

Crystal White 

Cumberland 

Cut-leaved 

Dr. Warder 

Dodge's Thoridess. 

Dorchester , 

Early Burnton 

European 

Felton 

Holcomb 

Hoosac Thornless. 

Kntatinny 

Knox 

Laioton 

Low 



28 

20 

2S 

28 

21 

-25 

27 

27 

27 

27 

27 

28 

28 

28 

28 

£8 

176 

187 

18.) 

187 

187 

183 

189 

189 

178 

189 

182 

180 

189 

187 

183 

187 

178 

183 

183 

187 

183 

187 

186 

,177 



Synonyms arc put in Italics. 



(280) 



GEN^ERAL II^DEX. 



281 



Blackberry, Low Bnsli 177 

" Missouri Mammoth 187 

" Neeclliam's Wliitc ISS 

" Newman's Thornless 186 

" New Roche! le ISO 

" Parffley-Leuved 181 

" Propagation of 179 

" Pruning Shears ...^ ISO 

" Pruning Hoolc 180 

" Running Swamp 177 

" Sable Queen 187 

" Sand 177 

" Seacor's Mammoth 1 86 

" Snyder 188 

" Taylor's Prolific 188 

" Wachusett Thornless 188 

" Western Triumph 188 

" Wilson's Early 189 

Blueberry, Canada 255 

Dwarf..." 255 

" Swamp 255 

Blue Dauglcberry 254 

Buffalo Berry 259 

Cherry, Cornelian 'HM 

Cherry, Dwarf 191 

CioudBcrry 120 

Cornel 233 

Cornel^an Cherry 233 

Conius mascula 233 

Cranberry 239 

" Applying water to 247 

" Bush 240 

'• Common 239 

" Gathering... 242 

" History of 240 

" Insects 249 

" Planting 245 

'• Preparation of Soil for. . . 242 

" Profits of Culture 252 

" Propagation 241 

Upland Culture 250 

" Varieties of 248 

Crows and Fruit Culture 85 

Currant 194 

*' Foreign Varieties — 210 

" History of 195 

" Insects and Diseases 204 

" Native Varieties 207 

" Propagation 196 

" Pruning and training 201 

" Soil and Cultivation 200 

" Attractor 211 



Currant, American Black 207 

Black English 217 

" Black Grape 218 

" Black Naples 218 

" Brown-fruited 219 

" Biiist's Long-Bunched Rcd.212 

" Cassis Boyal of Naples 218 

" Champagne 212 

Cherry 212 

" Clarke's Sweei 217 

'' Dana's White 214 

" Deseret 207 

" Fertile W Angeis of Leroy . .212 

" Fertile dePalluau 214 

" Fetid 194 

" Gloire de Sablons 214 

" Golden 208 

"• Goliath 216 

" Gondouin Red 214 

" Gondouin White 214 

" Gi'eenfruited 219 

" Gros Rouge d'Ai gers 214 

" Holland Long Grape 214 

" Houghton Castle 216 

" Imperial Jaime 214 

'' Imperial Bouge 215 

" Imperial Yellow ..214 

' ' Irish Grajoe 212 

" Knight's Early lied 215 

" Knight's Large Red 215 

" Knight's Sweet Red 215 

" La Cavcase 212 

" La Fertile 215 

" La native 215 

" La Hative de Berlin 215 

" Large Bed Angers 212-214 

" Large Bed Dutch 215 

" Lee's Prolitic 219 

" Long Bunched Bed 215 

" Macrocarpa 212 

" Mafs Victoria 215 

" Missouri 195 

Missouri Black 208 

" Miirsouii Sweet-fruited 209 

" Morgan's Bed 215 

" Napoleon Bed 212 

New Bed Dutch 215 

" New White Dutch .217 

•' Ogden's Black Grape 218 

" Phea>anVs Eye 212 

" Prince Albert 215 

'' Profits of Culture 219 



282 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Currant, Raby Castle 216 

Red 195 

Red Dutch 215 

Red Flowering ... .195 

Red Grape 216 

Eed Grape 216 

Red Imperial 212 

Red Provence 216 

Reeves' White 217 

Rouge a Grosse Fruit 215 

Russian Green 219 

Striped-fruited 216 

Transparent White 217 

Versailles 213 

Victoria 216 

White Antwerp 217 

White Clinton 217 

White Crystal 217 

White Dutcli 217 

White Grape ..217 

White Holland 217 

White Imperial 217 

Wliite Lerjhorn 217 

White Pearl 217 

Wiiile Provence 217 

Wliite Transparent 217 

WitmorsRed Graiie 216 

WildBlaclv ..194 

Dangleberry, Blue, 254 

Dewberry HT 

Dwarf Cherry 191 

Forcinji Houses T4 

Fragaria 31 

" collina 32 

" elatior 32 

" giaiidiflora 32 

" Indica 32 

" nwnophylla HT 

" vesca 31 

" Virginiana , 32 

Fruit Box. Free 269 

Gothic, Free 272 

" Guernsey 275 

" Hallock's 268 

" Smitli's 276 

Fruit Case, Johnson's Premium. . . 275 

Gathering Fruit 277 

Gaylussacia frondosa 254 

" resinosa 255 

Gooseberry 2.^2 

' ' Afuerican Red 230 

" Cluster Seedling 230 



Gooseberry, Downing 2^ 

Butch Joe 230 

Foreign Species 223 

" Foreign Varieties 231 

History 224 

" Houghton's Seedling,. 230 

*' Insects Injurious to 228 

" Mountain Seedling.... 230 

" Native Species 222 

" Native Varieties 230 

. " PaleRed 230 

" Prize English Varieties232 

" Proflls of Culture 229 

" Propagation of 224 

" Pruning and Training..225 
" Roberts' Sweet Water. . . 230 

•' St. Clair 230 

" Small Leaved 223 

" Smooth 222 

Soil and Culture 226 

" Swamp 223 

GrossedeBuffle 259 

IIip)X)phce argentea. 259 

HUCKLEBERKY 254 

Black 255 

" Dwarf 255 

Illgh-bush 255 

Insects. • 

"• Abraxis Grossulariata 204 

" '' ribearia / 204 

" Aphis ribis 229 

" Blackberry Bush Borer. . . ,149 

" Cecidomya Grossularise 229 

" Currant Borer, American.. 207 
" " Borer, European,. 206 

" Worm 204 

" Eufitchia ribearia 204 

" Gooseberry Bark-louse 228 

" '^ Midge 229 

" Lecanium Cynosbati 228 

" May Beetle 84 

" Mealy Flata ,,..228 

" Pseciloptera pruinosa 223 

" Plant-Louse 88 

" Pristiphora grossulariata.. 206 

" Trochiliumcandatum 207 

" " tipuliforme... 206 

" White Grub 84 

Introduction 6 

Microsphicria Berberidis 30 

Number of Plants to the Acre 279 

Preparation for Gathering Fruit ...263 



GEiq^ERAL IKDEX. 



283 



Propasation, by Cuttings 22 

" Green-wood Cuttings. 24 

Root Cuttings 124 

Prnnns pumila 192 

Rabbit Berry. 259 

Raspbeuut 119 

" American Black 150 

Black 122 

" Black Cap, Propagation 

of , 128 

" Brand 146 

" Rust 146 

" Disease and Insects — 146 

" Duration of Plants 145 

Dwarf 121 

" European 122 

Garden Culture of 143 

" History of 122 

" Planting and Culture . . .137 

" Propagation of 123 

" Pruning of 140 

*' Purple Flowering 119 

" Selection of Plants 137 

" Training of 141 

" Varieties for Family Use 174 

" Varieties for Marlcct 175 

" White Flowering 120 

WildRed 120 

" Winter Protection of... .142 

" Allen's Antwerp 159 

" Allen's Red Prolific 159 

*' Amazon 164 

"■ American Improved 150 

" American Red Cane 155 

" American White Cap . . .150 

" Antwerp 163 

" Antwerp Red 103 

" Antwerp Yellow 163 

" Barnet 164 

" BarnsVs Antwerp 164 

" Beehive 173 

" Belle de Fontenay 164 

" Belle de Palluau 1()5 

" Brandy wine 162 

" Brentford Cane 194 

" Brinckle's Orange 171 

" Bromley Hill 173 

'* Burleifs Antwerp 163 

" Burlington 165 

" Caroline 151 

" Catawissa 153 

" Chili Monthly 173 



Raspberry, Clarke 165 

Col. Wilder 166 

" Cope 166 

" Cornish 173 

. " CornwaWs Prolific 164 

" CornivaWs Seedling I(i4 

" Cretan Red 166 

" Gushing 166 

" Cutbush's Prince of 

Whales 166 

" Cuthbert 162 

" Cox's Honey 173 

" Davison's Thornless 151 

" Doolittle's Black Cap. ... 150 

" Downing 166 

" Double Bearing 166 

" Double Bearing Yelloxv . . 163 

" Duhring 167 

" Early Prolific 173 

" Elizabeth 169 

" Eliisdale 155 

" Emily 167 

" English Antwerp 163 

" Fastolft" 167 

Fillbasket 167 

" Foreign Varieties 163 

" Franconia 167 

" French 168 

Fuiton 168 

" Ganarqua l55 

" Gardiner 155 

" General Patterson 168 

" Golden Cap 160 

" Gregg 151 

" Herstine 169 

" Herstine's Seedlings.... 168 

Hornet 170 

" Hmvland's Antwirp 163 

" Hudson River Antiverp . . 163 

" Huntsman's Giant 170 

" Imperial 170 

" Improved Black Cap — 150 

" Jillard's Seedling 173 

" Joslyn's Improved 150 

Jouet 170 

" Keystone 173 

" Kirtland 162 

" Knevet's Giant 170 

" KnevetVs Antwerp 163 

" Large-fruited Monthly... 170 

" Large Miami 151 

" Large Bed 164 



284 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Raspberry, Longwortli 173 

" Lord Exmouth 164 

" McCorinick 151 

•' Maguiim Buiinin 170 

" Mammoth Cluster 151 

" Marvel of the Four Sea- 
sons 171 

" MerveilleQuatre Saisoiii?171 

" Miiiini Black Cap 152 

" Montclair 171 

" Monthly Black Cap 152 

" Mote's Seedling 174 

" Mrs. Iiigeisoll 173 

" Mrs. Wilder 174 

" Naomi 167 

"• New Everbearing 174 

" NeiD Bed Antwerp 163 

" Northumberland Fillbas- 

ket 167 

" Nottingham Scarlet. .. 174 

"■ Ohio Everbearing. .. . 152 

" Old Red Antwerp 163 

" Orange 163 

" Philadelphia 156 

" Pilate 171 

" Princess Alice 174 

" Purple Cane 155 

" Purple Cane Family ...153 

" Queen of the Market 162 

" Reliance 157 

" Richardson 174 

" lUvers' New Monthly 170 

" Rivers' Seedlings 171 

" Rul>y 161) 

" Russell's Red 172 

" St. Louis. 174 

" Saunders 169 

" Semper Fidelis 172 

" Seneca... 152 

" Souchettl 172 

" Spring Grove 174 

" Summit Yellow Cap 152 

" Superb 174 

" Superb d'Angleterre... 174 

•' Surpasse Merveille 174 

" Surprise 152 

" Susqueco 162 

" Taylor's Paragon 174 

" Thornless Black Cap .. . 151 

" True Red Antwerp 163 

" Vice-President French. . . 168 

" Walker 172 



Raspberry, WJiife Anfiverp 163 

" . Wiite Transpai-ent 172 

Wild Red 121 

" Wilmington 162 

" Wilmot's Early Red 174 

'* Woodward 174 

" Woodward's Red Globe,174 

" Yellow Cap 150 

" Yellow Chili 173 

Ribes 194 

" aureum 195 

'' cuneifolium 223 

" Cyi;osbaii 222 

" divaricatum 223 

" floridum 194 

" gracile 223 

" Grossularia 223 

" hirtellum 222 

" lacustre 223 

" micropiiyllum 223 

" nigrum 195 

" oxycanthoides ....223 

" prostratum 194 

" rotui.difolium 223 

" rubrum 195 

" sanguine urn 195 

" Uvacrispa 223 

Root Cuttings 123 

Rubus 119 

" Canadensis 17'? 

" Chamttmorus 120 

" cuneifoliiis 177 

" fruticosus 178 

" hispidus 177 

" Idteus 122 

" Japonicus 122 

" laciniatus 181 

" leucodermis 121 

" Nutkanus 120 

" occidentalis 122 

" odoratus 119 

" pedatus 120 

" spectabilis 120 

" strigosus 121 

" triflorus 121 

" trivialis 177 

" villosus 176 

Shepherdia 259 

" argentea. . 259 

" Canadensis 259 

Slugs 88 



GENERAL IKDEX. 



285 



Strawberry 



31 



Brand 83 

Culture, Aminal 63 

" Biennial 62 

" Garden. 64 

" Rows and Hills 63 
Diseases and Insects. . . S3 

Forcing 70 

History of 33 

Houses for 74 

Hybridizing and Cross- 
ing 76 

Manures for 54 

Plantingand Cultivation 60 

Pot Plants 52 

Preparation of Plants.. 57 

Propagation of 48 

" by Division of Roots 53 

'• by Runners 52 

'^ by Seeds 50 

Sexuality of ... 39 

Soil and Situation 53 

Structure of Plants. ... 46 

Thinning the Fruit 76 

Tiles 67 

Time to Plant 56 

Varieties for Forcing.. 75 

Vase 67 

Winter Protection 80 

List of Varieties. 



Admiral Dundas 110 

Agriculturist , 90 

Albion White 90 

Alpine 31 

Alpine Blanc 116 

Alpine Red 116 

Alpine Red Monthly 116 

Alpine Rouge 116 

Alpine Wliite 116 

Alpine White Monthly 116 

Alpine Varieties 116 

Ambrosia 110 

Ameiixian Alpine 116 

Austin 90 

Autumnal Galande 116 

Baltimore Scarlet 92 

Baron Beman de Linnick 110 

Bartlett 91 

Belle 80 

Belle Artesienne . ; Ill 



Belle Bordelaise 117 

Belle de Vibert Ill 

Berancon 116 

Bicol«)r Ill 

Bidwell 81 

Bijou Ill 

Black Defiance 81 

Black Hautbois 118 

Bonte de St. Julieu 110 

Boston Pine 91 

Boule d"Or 110 

Boijilen's No. 30 104 

Brighton Pine 91 

Brooklyn Scarlet 91 

Buffalo, 91 

Burr's New Pine 91 

Bu^h Alpine, Red 117 

Bush Alpine, White 117 

Caperon Royale 118 

Captain Jack 92 

Carnolia Magna Ill 

Caroline 29 

Caucasian 117 

Centennial J'avorite 92 

Cete wayo 107 

Champion 92 

Champion of Richmond 107 

Charles Downing 92 

Chorlton's Prolific 107 

Cinderella. 92 

Col. Cheney 93 

Col. Ellsworth 93 

Continental 93 

Crescent Seedling , 93 

Crimson Cone 93 

Crimson Favorite 107 

Crystal City 94 

Cumberland Triumph 94 

Cutter's Seedling 107 

Damask Beauty 94 

Dent de Cheval 116 

De Montrenil a Fruit Blanc 116 

De MontreuU a Fruit Rouge 116 

De MontreuU a Marteau IKJ 

Deptford Pine Ill 

Des Alpes a Fruit Rouge 116 

Diadem 107 

Dioecious Hautbois 117 

Double Bearing 118 

Downer's Prolific 94 

Duchess 94 

Duke de Malakoff Ill 



286 



SMALL FRUIT CULTURIST. 



Duncan 94 

Dunnurs Beauty 107 

Durand's Seedling 95 

Early Adela 107 

Early Scarlet 95 

Eclipse ,. 107 

Elton Improved Ill 

Emily 107 

Einma Ill 

Empress Eugenie Ill 

Endicott 107" 

Fillmore 95 

Finch's Prolific 107 

Foreign Varieties 109 

Forest Rose 96 

Fragaria lucida 108 

French's Seedling 107 

Fressant 110 

Frogmore Late Pine Ill 

Georgia Manmiotii 108 

Oermantown 98 

Gilbert's Large Brown 117 

Glendale 96 

Globe Hautbois 118 

Glory de Nancy Alpine 116 

Golden Defiance 96 

Golden Queen 108 

Golden Seeded 97 

Gohath 112 

Great American 97 

Green 32 

Green Alpine 117 

G7'een Pine Apple 117 

Green Proli fie 97 

Green Wood .117 

Gwentver 112 

Haquin 112 

Hart's Minnesota 108 

Hautbois 32 

Hautbois Varieties 117 

Hermaphrodite 118 

Hero 112 

Hervey Davis 97 

Hillman 112 

Hooker 98 

Hovey 98 

Huddleston's Favorite 98 

Ida 108 

India 32 

Iowa 108 

Jucunda.. = 112 

Kate 112 



Kentucky. . 98 

Kerr's Prolific 108 

Kimberly Pine 113 

Kirkwood 108 

Knox's 700. 112 

Kramer's Seedling lOS 

La Constante 113 

Ladies' Pine 98 

Lady Finger . 98 

Lady of the Lalie 99 

LaMendonaise 116 

Large-flowering 32 

La Sultanue 113 

Laurel Leaf 99 

Le Baron ... 108 

Lennig's White lUO 

Leon de St. Laumer 113 

Longfellow 99 

Long-fruited Muscatell 118 

Longworth's Prolific 100 

Loreuz Booth 113 

Lucas 113 

Lucida Perfecta 113 

Mammoth Bush 108 

Marguerite 113 

Marvin 101 

McAvoy's Superior 106 

Mead's Seedling 108 

Metcairs Early 108 

Miner's Great Prolific 101 

Monarch of the West 101 

Monitor 108 

Monstrous Hautbois 118 

Mount Vernon IDS 

Musky Hautbois , 117 

Napoleon III 113 

Native Varieties 90 

Neunan's Prolific 101 

Newark Prolific 97 

New Dominion 101 

New Jersey Scarlet 102 

Nicanor 101 

Old John Brown 102 

One-Leaved Alpine 117 

Orient 102 

Oscar 114 

Paine 108 

Perry's Seedling 102 

Philadelphia 109 

Pine Apple 93 

Pioneer 103 

Piper's Seedling 109 



GENERAL INDEX. 



287 



Poitou Alpine Monthly 116 

Poivdered Pine 117 

President Wilder 103 

Prince's Frederick William 114 

Prolific Alpine 116 

Prolific Hautbois 118 

Eeed's Kansas Mammoth 109 

llegenVs Dwarf 118 

Russell's Advance 109 

Russell's Prolific... 103 

Sabreur 114 

Sacombe 118 

Satin Gloss 103 

Scarlet Alpine 116 

Scarlet Runner 104 

Scotch Runner 104 

Scotch Runner 93 

Scott's Seedling 104 

Seth Boyden 104 

Shaker 107 

Sharpless , 104 

Sir Joseph Banks 118 

Souvenir dc Kieflf 114 

Sucker State 109 

Trembbfs Union 116 

Triomphe de Gaud 114 



Toppy 114 

Versailles Alpine Monthly 116 

Vicointesse Hericart de Thury 115 

Victoria 115 

Ville do Bois ne 

Vineuse de Nantes 115 

Virginian 32 

Walden 109 

Warren 109 

White Pineapple 100 

White Wood Strawbeny 117 

Wieland 109 

Wilding 109 

Williams'' Green Pine 117 

Wilson's Albany 105 

Windsor Chief 92 

W^ood 31-117 

Table of Dislances 279 

Thimble Beri^ 120-150 

Vacciniura 254 

" Canadense 255 

" corymbosura 255 

" erythrocarpon 240 

" macrocarpon 239 

" Oxycoccus 239 

" Peuusylvamcum 255 





THE AMERICAlir AGHICULTURIST, 



FOR THE 



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with special departments for German cultivators, prepared by writers trained for 
the work. Terms same as for the " American Agriculturist." 

Books for Farmers and Others. 

Send a three-cent Postage Stamp for our new illustrated and descriptive 
Catalogue of Books on all brunches of Agriculture, Horticulture, Architecture, etc. 
All books comprised in this Catalogue will be mailed pre-paid on receipt of the price 
named. Our abridged descriptive Catalogue of Books will be sent free on application. 

Books on Out-Door Sports and Pastimes. 

Send a three-cent Postage Stamp for our new and elegantly gotten up Catalogue 
or " Sportsman's Library of Standard Books," containing brief descriptions or out- 
lines of nearly one hundred and eighty works upon legitimate Out-door Sports and 
Amusements, and illustrated with a great number of engravings, many of tliem 
drawn from life, and faithfully portraying the points and characteristics of game, 
birds, flshes,.hor8es, dogs, etc, etc. 

CRAXDALL'S BLOCKS AND TOYS FOR CHILDREIV. 

These instructive and amusing toys embrace the following among others : Heavy 
ArLillery, District Scuool, Alphabet Blocks, Chinese Blocks, Acrobats, Expression- 
Blocks. Little All-Right, Wide-Awake Alphabet, John Gilpin, Toy Horse, Menagerie, 
Masquerade-Blocks, Te Hero of '76, Improved Gymnasts, Bijilding-Blocks 
Orange Judd Company. 

A complete, descriptive illustrated Catalogue of these Toys will be mailed, post 
paid, to any address en application. 

ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 751 Broadway, New York. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



000 918 162 3 



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